Why menstrual hygiene is so important?
Beatrice Tozzi
Menstrual hygiene is a hygiene practice that allows women to avoid
health problems during menses. In fact, menstrual blood can cause health issues such as irritations or UTI (urinal tract infection).
A really good habit that women can learn is to change sanitary pads (or tampon, or menstrual cup) very
regularly during their period, in order
to prevent any kind of infections, for example changing pads every 4-6 hours. Another good
practice is to wash properly the areas that are in contact with pads.
The majority of Indian girls, and their families, suffer from economic difficulties: a reason that doesn’t allow them to afford sanitary napkins during menses. This problem leads to the fact that they simply don’t know how to properly use pads, and how to take care of their bodies during menstruation.
Social taboos, still today, also play a major role when we talk about
menses and sanitary pads. In marginalized communities the exchange of information is urgent and can really
impact the quality of life of so many girls.
A study conducted in 2011 by Anant Kumar and Kamiya Srivastava[1] among 117 adolescent girls and 41 mothers
from communities and classes in Ranchi, Jharkhand, represent a concrete sampleof the situation
concerns women and menstruation.
The study reveals
that although menstruation is a fundamental part of the reproductive system, in Indian society they’re treated with secrecy. For example, when a girl has her period, it could be forbidden for her to enter the puja room, or the
kitchen.
However, the study also
shows that the
girls interviewed are curios to learn more about menses. It is the lack of
information that produce taboos and ideas
that consider
menstruation
as unhealthy
and something to be afraid of.
This study also presents some
strategies to make girls aware of their bodies and of their menses. For example, the
author suggeste the creation of “awareness
program”, in
which posters, flip chart and other informational tools should be shared. In
addition, menstrual hygiene should become a
school subject.
These are the reasons that led us, Heeals, to realize a program for spreading awareness on the importance of menstrual
hygiene and gender equality precisely in these areas. With our project “TIME FOR MENSTRUAL
HYGIENE AND GENDER EQUALITY” we will focus specifically on school-age girls, who attend schools in
villages or urban slums, in the National Capital Region (Delhi), Gurgaon
(Haryana) and Western Uttar Pradesh. We will also be able to hold workshops on the issues that concern our campaign, trying to fill the gap of knowledge about these
important and fundamental topics.
We Request To All The People To Help and Support Our Work .
Please Donate / Support Us In Anyway You Can. Spread Share Support #HEEALS Donation Details Are Below:
DONATORS LOCATED IN INDIA Account Number: 002101200566 Bank: ICICI Address: ICICI, Gurgaon Branch Sco-18 & 19 Sector -14, Huda Shopping Center. Gurgaon -122001 RTGS/NEFT IFSC CODE: ICIC0000021
INTERNATIONAL DONATORS Please email: communications@heeals.org Forward this message to your contacts to help this campaign reach its goal! Thank You
[1] Anant Kumar & Kamiya Srivastava (2011) Cultural and Social Practices Regarding Menstruation among Adolescent Girls, Social Work in Public Health, 26:6, 594-604, DOI:
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