1st July, 2023:Lack of period education products leads to 1 out of 5 girls in India dropping out of school. Although mother’s are a girl’s first teacher, reports say that 7 out of 10 mothers do not understand the science of periods fully and find it dirty and impure. P&G Whisper and UNESCO have joined forces to raise awareness amongst women in particular, and amongst young school going girls. Over the last 30 years Whisper has been driving menstrual education, distributing free sanitary pads and dispelling myths and taboos related to periods. More than 10 crore girls and mothers in India have been educated and given free pads.
Chetana Institute of Management & Research was the venue for an event where five teaching – learning modules developed by UNESCO India with Whisper were introduced. These modules are the tools for imparting education on Menstrual health and hygiene management for young adults, educators, persons with disability, and are focused on gender and nutrition.
The teaching- learning module was unveiled by actress Disha Parmar. These modules offer comprehensive resources and strategies to learners, educators, community leaders and menstruators on period and puberty education. The “Spotlight Red “under the “Keep Girls in School “initiative enhances understanding and skills of menstrual management and fosters awareness about its societal impact. Adolescents from diverse backgrounds including girls with disabilities are empowered through access to puberty and period education. With the objective of enabling these adolescents to continue their education, they create a supportive environment at various levels which include school. State and national levels.
Under the #KeepGirlsinschool campaign a National Survey and Gap Analysis report on Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management was launched by P& G Whisper and UNESCO India. it was revealed in this report that 50 % of adolescent girls in the age group of 15 to 19 years, from the poor urban areas lacked access to hygienic methods in order to manage their periods.
The event was graced by distinguished guests – The Chief Guest for the occasion was Dr. Sujata Bhan who is the Head of Department of Special Education, SNDT Women’s University (SNDTWU), Mumbai, The Guest of Honor was television actress, Ms. Disha Parmar. Also present were the Communication Head, Whisper P & G Ms. Kruti Desai, and Dr. Huma Masood who is a Senior Gender Specialist at UNESCO India.
# Menstrual Health and Hygiene # Dr Sujata Bhan # Disha Parmar # Kruti Desai # Dr. Huma Masood #Keepgirlsinschool #adolescents #mothers #young girls #Chetana Institute of Management & Research
