Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 24: Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) conducted an awareness programme on ‘Menstrual Hygiene Management’ for adolescent girls at Government Girls High School (GGHS), Gandhi Nagar, Jammu.
Dr Renu Wakhloo, DGO, MD and currently a Consultant (Assistant Professor) in SMGS Hospital, Jammu said, “India is home to around 113 million adolescent girls, out of whom 54% are unaware of menstruation before they have their first period, only 45% believe that menstruation is normal and mothers are main source of information. The end result is simple – bad menstrual practices leading to many life threatening deaths”.
Our country accounts for 27% of the world’s cervical cancer deaths, which is almost twice the global average and many doctors studying the disease blame poor menstrual hygiene for these deaths, she said. Elaborating on the importance of using sanitary napkin, she said menstrual hygiene in India continues to be an area of concern as majority of the 35 crore menstruating women (87 per cent) continue to lack access to sanitary napkins across the country.
Rupika Sahai, a prominent business lady and a renowned social activist while addressing the Government High School girls at Gandhi Nagar, exhorted them not to shy from discussing the problems with their classmates and parents.
After the awareness lecture, Sahai asked the students to share their knowledge with other girls and educate them on the use of sanitary napkins. She further said, such sessions should be encouraged as they bring about a change in the mind set of girls and motivate them to not let periods bog them down. Sahai also distributed sanitary napkins among the students.
Appreciating the efforts of CII, Kiran Rajput, Headmaster of the School, acknowledged CII in promoting a unique cause by not only educating the girls on menstrual hygiene, but also by distributing sanitary napkins free for their limitless dreams and flights.
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