Nagaland: Awareness training on menstrual hygiene launched in Kohima

Dimapur, Nov. 10 (EMN): The deputy commissioner of Kohima, Shanavas C, on November 9 launched the training and awareness programme on ‘Menstrual hygiene’ and free distribution of reusable sanitary pads in different locations under Kohima district.

The training programme was organised by the district administration in collaboration with Project Baala, District Education Office, District Welfare Office and One –Stop-Centre, Kohima, a DIPR report stated.

The DC, in his launching address, stated that the district was fortunate to have the Project Baala team to create awareness on menstrual hygiene and free distribution of reusable sanitary pads for the people of the district.

Shanavas opined that menstruation taboo is still existent in many states of the country due to ignorance, which leads to gender issue and anti social activities. He stated that the purpose of the workshop was to create awareness on menstruation and its hygiene and that the project team would be covering more than 3000 beneficiaries in the district.

Expressing optimism that the training would be a beginning from the district administration side towards bringing a change, the DC said that the training would be the first step towards building confidence and boldness of the women groups, the report stated.

Shanavas further called upon the master trainers to spread awareness, especially to the children who are on their initial period of menstruation.

The resource persons Soumya Dabriwal and Parul Kamra from Project Baala team, spoke on important issues relating to menstrual hygiene, its sustainability when it comes to period management and waste issues associated with menstruation.

They shared that the purpose of the training is to create awareness to mitigate the challenges associated with period and encouraged the master trainers to spread awareness so that every women and girl have access to safe and sustainable menstrual hygiene products,  along with holistic and accurate information to manage menstruation.

More than 200 teachers and Anganwati/ASHA workers from Kohima Sadar Circle/ CDPO Tribal, SDO (C) Jakhama Circle and Sechu Zubza Circle and EAC Kezocha Circle, attended the launching programme as Master trainers.

A brief interview session with the team members of the Delhi-based NGO Project Baala, was held after the launching programme, it stated.

On November 10 and 11, awareness programme/field visits/ distribution of kits would be carried out at GHSS Kohima, LFHSS Kohima, Jakhama village and village council hall, Sechu Zubza, for the school students and women representatives from various village level committees, youths and school students, the report stated.