DODA: An awareness programme on Menstrual Hygiene was today organised at Gujjar and Bakarwal Girls Hostel by Mission Shakti, Social Welfare Department under the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao initiative. The programme was graced by Gender Specialist at the Hub for Empowerment of Women, Dr. Sanya Khan and Centre Administrator at One Stop Centre (OSC) Sandiya Thakur along with the warden and staff of the hostel.
Dr. Sanya Khan sensitised adolescent girls about the biological and emotional changes during puberty, especially menstruation. She emphasized the importance of maintaining proper menstrual hygiene to prevent long-term health issues and stressed the need to normalise menstruation and eliminate the social taboos attached to it. She also highlighted the significance of nutrition and recommended iron-rich foods and regular physical activity for better menstrual health. Sanitary pads were distributed among the girls during the session.
Sandiya Thakur elaborated on the importance of personal hygiene and health awareness during adolescence and briefed the participants about the objectives of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. She discussed its role in combating gender discrimination, improving the sex ratio, and ensuring the safety and education of the girl child. She also spoke about the services offered by the One Stop Centre (OSC), which was established in 2017 to provide 24-hour support to women, including police assistance, medical aid, temporary shelter, counselling, and legal support.
Sandiya Thakur also threw light on sensitive issues such as teenage pregnancy and underage marriages, stressing the legal consequences of marrying a girl under 18 years of age, even with her consent. She encouraged the use of emergency helpline numbers and urged the attendees to spread awareness about the various government schemes and support systems available for women’s empowerment and welfare.
