Introduction:
On May 28, 2025, Swabhiman Samiti, in collaboration with the Community Health Center (CHC) Uska Bazar, organized a comprehensive awareness program to mark International Menstrual Hygiene Day in Kattha Tola Gopiyapur, Gram Panchayat. This global observance day provided a vital platform for initiating conversations on menstrual health—a subject often surrounded by silence and stigma in rural communities. The program aimed to break taboos, normalize discussion around menstruation, and educate adolescent girls and women about safe and hygienic practices.
Menstruation remains one of the least discussed health topics, especially in rural India, where lack of awareness, misinformation, and traditional beliefs often prevent women and girls from seeking proper care. Poor menstrual hygiene can lead to serious infections, reproductive health issues, and school dropouts among adolescent girls. Recognizing the urgency to address these challenges, the event brought together health professionals, local leaders, community-based organizations, and adolescent participants to create a space for learning, dialogue, and action.
By focusing on menstrual hygiene management (MHM), the program aimed to empower girls to take control of their health and dignity. Through expert talks, live demonstrations, street plays, and the distribution of sanitary products and supplements, the event took a multi-pronged approach to ensure lasting awareness and behavior change. The active participation of hundreds of women and girls underscored the strong community interest and need for such engagements.
