GUWAHATI: Throughout much of the world, menstruation is still stigmatized. Many countries, especially low-income ones, avoid discussing this topic in public. As a result, it is difficult and nearly impossible to include it in national dialogue and policy discussions. However, regardless of their socio-economic status, all girls and women are expected to maintain strict menstrual hygiene.
Women and girls between 15 and 24 years of age, especially those in rural areas of the State, need to be made aware of menstrual hygiene issues. A campaign promoting menstrual hygiene, health and environmental education was launched at Kamrup by Aaranyak (www.aaranyak.org), Hargila Army, Women in Nature Network, Alice C Tyler Perpetual Trust, WFN, Rewild, Wilhelma Zoo, eco club, Rewilding Academy and Pachariya Kushal Konwar High School.
In the launch on Wednesday at Pachariya Kushal Konwar High School of Kamrup, Dr Purnima Devi Barman, an internationally acclaimed environmentalist and Green Oscar awardee, also a biologist of Aaranyak, led the initiative. Women across Kamrup are being taught how to remain healthy during their periods as part of the campaign aimed at addressing the taboo associated with menstruation. Around 200 girls from Pachariya, Dadara, Singimari, Bongsor, Alikash, Molong, and nearby areas received sanitary napkins during the campaign''s launch. This was basically launched for underprivileged girls and their mothers.
During her address, Dr Purnima Devi Barman explained that health, hygiene, and environment education go hand in hand. She said, "In my two decades of journey of conservation, I realized that environment awareness needs health and hygiene and when people are self aware of their health, they are aware of the health of the earth."
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