Radico Khaitan Limited (“Radico Khaitan” or the Company) started its operation in 1943 and was earlier known as Rampur Distillery Company. After executing a successful collaboration in Rampur, Radico Khaitan took up another collaboration with SheWings Foundation to organize a health and hygiene awareness camp for women in the Sitapur district of Uttar Pradesh.
This camp saw some interactive sessions curated to create awareness about menstrual hygiene and also taught them how to cope effectively with the stigma associated with menstruation. Distribution of sanitary napkins to the women present was also undertaken during this camp.
Appropriate knowledge to tackle the taboo around menstruation was also imparted. It encouraged women to talk freely about this subject and other health issues. She Wings distributed sanitary napkins to the women attendees in the Sitapur district.
Ms Savita Singh, a senior educationist and the former Principal of a reputed inter-college in Lucknow delivered the welcome speech at this event hosted in Bal Van Udyan, IIsiya, Sitapur. This event saw active participation from dignitaries, like Senior Women Empowerment Activist, Ms Rekha, Gram Pradhan, Sitapur Ms Pooja Chaudhary, and DFO, Sitapur, Mr D.M Shukla. Ms. Savita during her address emphasized the importance of using sanitary pads and their proper disposal. She encouraged women to exercise extreme care and stay focused on their menstrual hygiene.
She stressed the need to impart the right knowledge to the young generation and educate them too, to ensure that the adolescent girls were better prepared for a healthy life ahead.
In India 71% of adolescent girls are not aware of menstruation till they get their first period concludes a study conducted by the UN’s child protection agency, UNICEF. An NGO has reported that over 20 million girls are compelled to drop out of school annually owing to a lack of proper menstrual hygiene management facilities. They lack information about menstruation and also do not have access to sanitary pads.
Mr. Amar Sinha, COO, Radico Khaitan, commenting on the success of the event said that they were proud to be associated with the Women’s Health and Hygiene campaign initiated by SheWings.
He was happy that after the success of their first event in Rampur, the turnout in Sitapur was impressive and went a long way in showing the receptiveness of women to learn and take care of their wellbeing.
Ms. Rekha highlighted the urgent need to break free of the taboo that surrounded menstruation. The right information and awareness about menstruation would facilitate the acceptance of menstruation as a natural process.
Ms. Pooja Chaudhary mentioned the importance of exercising cleanliness during menstruation to reduce health hazards for women.
Mr. D.M. Shukla mentioned that it was an honor to be a part of this amazing initiative by SheWings and all the partners including Radico Khaitan. It was important to educate girls and by educating women, we were educating generations, he added. The awareness camp at Sitapur was a huge success and Ms. Savita extended her gratitude to all participants, panelists, and the Radico Khaitan and the SheWings team.
