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Organisers along with the participants on the ocassion of Menstrual Hygiene Day at Viswema.[/caption]
Dimapur, June 3 (EMN): Viswema village observes Menstrual Hygiene Day, under the theme “Education about menstruation changes everything,” on May 28. The programme was organised by FPA India, Nagaland Branch in collaboration with Sanitary Napkin Production Unit under Science and Technology department.
Subole Kennao, chairperson Women Organization commenced the program with a welcome speech along with an invocation prayer.
Speaking about the Day significance, Ville Rhetso Counselor of FPA India, reminded the participants of the first global Menstrual Hygiene Day (MHD) observed in the year 2014, initiated by German-based NGO WASH United (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) in 2013 and which became a global awareness day dedicated exclusively to putting the spotlight on menstrual hygiene. Stressing on the theme, she stated education about menstruation is very important in the society as there are many unhygienic related health issues and also pollutes the environment if used napkins are not discard properly.
Dr. Aseno Rhetso speaking on the topic menstrual hygiene management highlighted the definition on menstrual hygiene management by UNICEF and WHO, 2014. She said when a girl has a period for the first time, it is a distinct step into womanhood and extra care need to be taken to prevent and protect oneself from infections. She also emphasized on the importance of maintaining and keeping good hygienic practices from menarche to menopause which is vital to all reproductive age group.
She said menstrual blood once it has left the body gets contaminated with the body’s innate organisms and when these organisms remain in a warm and moist place for a long time they tend to multiply and can lead to conditions like urinary tract infection, vaginal infections and skin rashes.
Further, she acquainted the participants on how to stay clean and hygienic during the period by choosing the right method of sanitation, changing garments and pads regularly, taking bath regularly, avoiding soaps or vaginal hygiene products, right washing technique, proper ways of pads disposal and avoiding pad rash. Mereena Domeh, Project Supervisor, Sanitary Napkins Production Unit shared how the project started in India and has been running by Science and Technology department, Nagaland. She said the Napkins are produced with a quality based cost effective hygienic, no chemical used in the products, no side effects and is easily decomposable.
Thejaseno Ltu, Staff Nurse-FPA India explained on the benefits and methods of family planning and conclude the session.
The departments also conducted menstrual hygiene awareness at Children Christian School, Kohima on June 30 during which Rokuoneinuo Zecho, Program officer of FPA India educated the adolescent girls on menstrual hygiene management.
Another awareness program was also conducted with the Network of Kohima District People living with HIV/AIDS on June 1.
Besides awareness programs, sanitary napkins were also provided by the department to all the participants and even to the poor and marginalized clients at Reproductive health and Family Planning Clinic (RHFPC).
