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Spotlight Red: UNESCO and P&G Whisper forge groundbreaking partnership to champion Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management in India #KeepGirlsinSchool
The highly anticipated launch took place on 8 June 2023, at Amrita Hospital in Faridabad, Haryana with Amrita Vidya Vishwapeetham, Amrita Hospital, and Omnex as the advocacy partners.
Hon'ble Shrimati Seema Trikha, Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA), Badhkhal Constituency, Faridabad, Haryana, was the Guest of Honour. The event also solicited the presence of various stakeholders including representatives of Government of India, UN agencies, and civil society organizations. This partnership adopts a holistic approach with a strong gender perspective, firmly committed to advancing MHHM through education and the advocacy of effective menstrual policies. The release of these teaching-learning modules will provide learners, educators, menstruators, and community leaders with indispensable resources and strategies for comprehensive understanding and skill development in managing menstruation, while driving awareness about its societal impact.
UNESCO and P&G Whisper India also presented a survey and gap analysis report alongside a series of short films capturing various facets of MHHM and highlighting the diverse experiences and perspectives surrounding this crucial topic from seven states across India. It was also complemented by an invigorating and vivid "Pride of Period Anthem", that aims to eliminate barriers and stigma related to periods and cultivate a brighter future for all menstruators.
Our collaboration with P&G Whisper® India is a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to menstrual health and hygiene management. Through this collaboration, our objective is to drive progress in menstrual health and hygiene management, ensuring equitable access to knowledge and resources for a healthier, more empowered future.
1 out of 5 girls in India drop out of school due to lack of menstrual education and access to sanitary products. The chapter on period education has been missing from schools, families and communities resulting in 71% girls not knowing about periods when they first get it. For almost three decades now, we, at Whisper, have been dedicated towards period education, spreading awareness about menstrual hygiene, and distributing sanitary pads to girls across India. With this partnership with UNESCO, we are growing our efforts by co-creating and launching a first of its kind period curriculum that can be used in schools and for training teachers and educationalists. Our objective is to ensure the chapter on periods is no longer missing. We aim to empower young girls to achieve their dreams by completing their school education without any gaps and to stop them from dropping out of school because of lack of knowledge of periods.
I am proud to witness this groundbreaking project and reiterate my belief that by conducting sensitization workshops and engaging anganwadi or healthcare workers throughout districts in every part pf the country, we will be able to make strides in ensuring a healthier and more transformative approach to menstruation.
The launch event marked a significant milestone in the joint commitment to MHHM exemplifying the power of collaboration in effecting positive change. The modules and report is readily available to educators, stakeholders, and interested parties, encouraging widespread adoption and integration of best practices in menstrual health and hygiene management.
The launch of the teaching-learning modules on Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management (MHHM) presents a significant opportunity for stakeholders, policymakers, and educators to create a lasting impact and promote positive change. By incorporating these modules into future initiatives, stakeholders can harness the knowledge and resources provided to develop evidence-based policies and programs that prioritize MHHM. Armed with a deep understanding these tools can be used to advocate for comprehensive policymaking, ensuring equitable access to menstrual products and facilities.
Additionally, the integration of these modules into school curricula empowers educators to deliver inclusive and age-appropriate menstrual education, fostering awareness, breaking taboos, and nurturing a supportive environment for all students. By embracing these modules, stakeholders, policymakers, and educators can collectively transform society's perception of menstruation, ensuring a healthier, more informed future for all.
