Training 130 women youth health leaders in Gujarat

WOMEN'S MENSTRUAL HEALTH AND SANITATION PROJECT IN PATAN, GUJARAT

(December 2016 to February 2017)

Meetings were held regularly across various villages to spread awareness of menstrual hygiene among women. 

Date - Village - Place - No. of Participants

02/12/2016 - Khanpur - Community Leader's House - 28

05/12/2016 - Fulesana - Ramnagar - 27

07/12/2016 - Vadali Village - Temple - 49

09/12/2016 - Manpur - ASHA Worker's House - 38

14/12/2016 Kharivavadi - Darbar Locality - 55

17/01/2017 Matarwadi - Labourers' locality - 29

19/01/2017 Norta - ASHA Worker's House - 36

21/01/2017 Ramnagar - Community Leader's House - 43

25/01/2017 Gadosan - Champaben's House - 39

28/01/2017 Bhalgam - Shivnagar Area - 42

14/02/2017 Badipur - Shivnagar Area Labourers' area - 36

17/02/2017 Sabosan Anganwadi Caretaker's House 41

21/02/2017 Hamidpura - Khan Sarovar - 39

23/02/2017 Sardarpura-Norta - Community Leader's House - 40

In total 14 meetings were conducted covering 542 participants

Impact of the meetings conducted across all the above villages is enumerated as follows:

• Women who gained exposure to sanitary napkins for the first time ever: 140
• Women who started using sanitary napkins for menstrual protection: 125
• Women who started maintaining reproductive hygiene and bathing daily : 74
• Women who broke free from superstitious beliefs related to menstruation: 80
• Women who started wearing panties: 68
• Women who broke free from consuming chewing tobacco(gutka):35
• Women who started taking treatment for irregular menstruation, white discharge and urinary tract itching and other reproductive ailments: 25
• Women who befriended their daughters to help them cope with their growth issues: 14
• Women who addressed their problem of prolapsed uterus - 8
• Women who promised that their girls would give up chewing tobacco gutka:5
• Women from the conservative community who gathered the courage to allow their daughters to gain exposure to the world beyond their homes: 4
• Women who reported cancer of the tongue due to consumption of gutka (chewing tobacco) : 3
• Women who voiced that they suffered from breast cancer:1

Voices from the field...

• "Earlier we believed that the outlet for urination and menstruation was the same. But the learning that was provided with the help of the uterus model clarified our perceptions."- Leelaben, Village Khanpur.
• "We always thought menstruation to be something bad and impure, but now we realize that it is a vital process for bearing children." - Ramilaben, Village Khanpur.
• "I used to abstain from cooking food during menses but now I feel that one can continue with their routine chores even during menstruation. Moreover, I never used an underwear or any material for menstrual protection, but henceforth I will do so." -Geetaben, Village Khanpur.
• "I never paid attention to my health and personal hygiene. But now I will treat the back pain that I have been suffering from due to excessive white discharge." - Chayaben, Village Fulesana.
• "I have three daughters and I always held myself responsible for not having borne sons. But now I am relieved that bearing daughters is no fault of women." - Dhwaniben, Village Fulesana.
• "At first we were embarrassed to participate in this meeting, but after attending the meeting our confidence has increased."- Kanchanben, Village Vadali.
• "In our community, on attaining puberty, girls were married off at an extremely young age. But now we realize the ills of doing so and are reconsidering this practice."- Leelaben, Village Vadali.
• "My daughter-in-law seems to have a problem in conceiving as a result of which we indulged in a number of fasts and religious beliefs; but all in vain. Thus, now I will resort to medical treatment for her." - Leelaben, Village Manpur.
• "We earlier believed that inserting Copper-T was harmful. But we have now learnt that it is a device that helps in spacing between children."- Champaben, Village Manpur.
• "We considered curd, milk to be detrimental for the foetus; but have now learnt about its nutritional importance."- Women from Village Manpur.
• "We have seen sanitary napkins for the first time. We will insist on maintaining hygiene and will ensure that our daughters use these for menstrual protection." Hansaben,Village Khari Vavdi.
• "I menstruate every 15 days and experience giddiness. After having attended the training I understand the urgency to take medical treatment for my problem." -Kailashben, Village Khari Vavdi.
• "My daughter is 16 years old but I have never bothered to ask her whether she gets her periods on time. Now I've realized the importance of paying attention to her needs." - Kanchanben, Village Khari Vavdi.
• "Initially we were sceptical to attend these meetings since such meetings have never been held in our village. But we are glad to have attained the meeting since we learnt a lot of aspects concerning our bodies and menstruation."-Women participants from Village Matarwadi.
• "We learnt how to keep track of the schedule of our period so as to check its regularity." - Leelaben, Village Matarwadi.
• "I have been suffering from white discharge and prolapsed uterus, and am certainly going to take medical treatment for it soon." - Geetaben, Village Norta.
• "We will put in efforts to break barriers and will start interacting with our daughters in this matter so as to create a mutual bonding."- Women from Village Ramnagar.
• "We experience a number of problems such as irregular menstruation, prolonged menstruation, infertility and body heaviness before menstruation. The meeting helped us how to cope with these situations."- Women from Village Gadosan.
• "I have been experiencing a problem regarding white discharge and pledge to maintain proper hygiene, henceforth." - Leelaben, Village Bhalgam.
• "The process of conception and gender-determination of the foetus was highly enlightening." - Kalpanaben, Village Bhalgam.
• "We use cloth rags/pieces for menstrual protection and have never worn panties nor have we used sanitary napkins. Our daughters use sanitary napkins." - Women from Village Badipur.
• "The village people criticize women for attending meetings. But we feel that the learning gained is worth the taunts that we have to bear with."- Hansaben, Village Badipur.
• "We used to consider menstruation to be a bad occurrence; but now we realize how essential it is." - Women from Village Sabosan.
• "Such meetings are very enlightening and must be conducted regularly. We will ensure that more and more women attend these meetings." - ASHA Worker-Bhawnaben, Village Sabosan.
• Women who consume chewing tobacco were explained on the ill effects of doing so and were urged to give up their vice.
• "With the help of the 'apron' illustrating the menstrual process, our concerns regarding irregular / heavy menstruation, fear about using Copper-T device and white discharge were clarified." Women from Village Hamidpura.
• "We feel very embarrassed to share our menstrual problems with anybody. But now we understand that it is not something to be ashamed about." Neelaben, Village Hamidpura.
• "Earlier when I used to get my periods every 15 days, I thought it was a good sign of getting rid of the unwanted waste; but now I have realized that the problem needs to be addressed." Kalpanaben, Village Hamidpura.
• "We will share our learning with our daughters back home. The knowledge will help them cope with their myths and inhibitions surrounding menstruation and reproduction." Women from village Sardarpura
• "I now realize the urgency of getting my uterine pain treated soon." Champaben, village Hamidpura.