The training and awareness programme on ‘Menstrual Hygiene’ and free distribution of reusable sanitary pads was launched on 9 November by Deputy Commissioner Kohima, Shanavas C, IAS at DC’s Conference Hall, Kohima.
The programme and free distribution of reusable sanitary pads will be conducted in different locations under Kohima district from 9 to 11 November.
The training programme is being organised by the Kohima District Administration in collaboration with Project Baala, District Education Office, District Welfare Office and One Stop Centre, Kohima.
Launching the programme, Shanavas said the district was fortunate to have the Project Baala team to create awareness of menstrual hygiene and the free distribution of reusable sanitary pads for the people of the district. He said the taboo of menstruation is existent in many states of our country because of ignorance, which leads to gender issues and all anti-social activities.
Therefore, the purpose of this workshop is to create awareness of menstruation and its hygiene where the project team would be covering more than 3,000 beneficiaries in the district, the DC said.
He hoped that the training would be a start towards change from the side of the district administration. He also stated that he believed this would be the first step towards building up confidence in women.
Shanavas called upon the master trainers to understand well and spread awareness, especially to the children who are on their initial period of menstruation.
The resource persons were Soumya Dabriwal, founder, and Parul Kamra from the Project Baala team. The duo spoke on the important issue of menstrual hygiene, its sustainability when it comes to period management, and waste issues associated with menstruation.
They shared that the purpose was to create awareness to mitigate the challenges associated with periods and encouraged the master trainers to spread awareness so that every woman and girl has access to safe and sustainable menstrual hygiene products along with holistic and accurate information to manage menstruation.
More than 200 teachers and Anganwadi/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 on Wednesday.
On the same day, the Baala team-2 at Dobashi Court ADC Chiephobozou Hq trained the teachers and Anganwadi/ASHA workers (Master Trainers) from ADC Chiephobozou Circle and EAC Botsa Circle.
The plan for 10 and 11 November is to carry out the awareness programme, field visits and distribution of kits at GHSS Kohima, LFHSS Kohima, Town Hall Jakhama Village, and Village Council Hall Sechu Zubza for the school students and women representatives from various Village Level Committees, youths and school students.
