Menstrual Hygiene Management: An emerging issue

“Menstrual Hygiene Management: An emerging issue”

Paschim Paaila organized regular interaction program WASH FORUM May series on 30^th May 2014. This time the topic was “Menstrual Hygiene Management: An emerging issue”. Celebrating World Menstrual Hygiene Day- 2014 for the first time in the world on May 28, Paschim Paaila brought down this issue in the forum with the participation of 42 participants.

The forum was very interactive and participants were cooperative with resource person Ms. Kamal Tara Bajracharya, Youth and Adolescent Program Manager, FPAN and another resource person Ms. Kamala KC, Consultant, Water Aid Nepal. During the session participants raised their queries regarding the current scenario of toilets in university’s colleges and also of public toilet which are not female friendly. 

The session was carried out by our resource person on the components of Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) and related it with Education, Health, Empowerment and Rights.

In this forum, volunteers were appreciated with certificates by Network Coordinator Mr. Buddha Bajracharya for successful conduction of Menstrual Hygiene Campaign on the occasion of International Menstrual Hygiene Day – 2014. At last, the session was concluded with the sharing of some experience of participants regarding menstrual hygiene which was really fruitful following with group Photos.

MAHILA KA LAGI PAAILA

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Paschim Paaila implemented its project under Paaila Idea fund - 2013 as "Dflxnfsf nflu kfO{nf"/ "Paailas for Women" at Thapathali Slum area, where 23 women’s of different age group (17-74 years) participated on 29^th May, 2014. The program started with the general information about Paschim Paaila by Mr. Buddha Bajracharya, Network Coordinator of Paschim Paaila. The program was divided into two parts i.e. WASH and importance of Vermi-composting technique.

Mr. Bajracharya took a session of WASH whereby he gave idea on importance of water to the living creatures as well as present situation of Water in context of Nepal. According to him, “Slum area of Kathmandu is very prone to Water borne disease, once it catches a person it can be easily transmitted from person to person very soon.” Whereby, he gave examples of Jaundice in Biratnagar (2014) and epidemics in Jajarkot (2009). In addition to that, Mr. Bajracharya highlighted different ways of water purification viz. filtration (different approaches), boiling, SODIS, Chlorination (Piyus). Most of the participants took it positively and agreed to follow one of the water purification techniques. Then, he gave some idea about the healthy behaviour mainly focusing on "Hand washing techniques". All the participants vouched to follow ‘Ati-Pati’ technique from the very day.

Next session was taken by Mr. Regan Sapkota, Paaila idea fund 2013 winner took session on Vermi-composting technique. According to Mr. Sapkota Nepali are not Poor but the way of thinking is very poor. He added, vermiform composting can be lucrative source of income to many unemployed Nepalese as the worms produce ample compost and multiply their number very quickly. He highlighted various facts about the importance and effectiveness of vermin composting and urged the participants to practice this composting technique. All the participants were very much inspired so at the end of the session all the participants came to common understanding to start Vermi composting commercially so that this technique can help them financially to uplift their living standards. Most of the participants were motivated and said they will embark the Vermi-composting from their home. All the participants looked positive and were exhilarated and said programs was fruitful for them and they will soon follow the technique taught to them.

First International Menstrual Hygiene Day Celebrated with school students

First International Menstrual Hygiene Day was celebrated on 28^th May 2014 with the joint effort of ENPHO and Paschim Paaila in coordination with District Public Health Offices (DPHOs), Primary Health Care centers (PHCs), Health Posts and Sub-Health Posts of 4 districts (Bhaktapur, Kavre, Surkhet and Rupandehi). The main objective was to celebrate first Menstrual Hygiene day which was happening in all the 75 districts in coordination with Ministry of Health (MoH), Ministry of Education (MoE), INGOs, NGOs and other respective bodies.

More than 30 volunteers were mobilized for the successful conduction of menstrual awareness programs at the government schools in coordination with respective VDCs Health workers. Menstrual Hygiene day was celebrated at 13 schools from 12 VDCs (Ghumkhare, Latikoili, Changunarayan, Katunje, Jhaukhel, Duwakot, Nagarkot, Baluwapati, Baluwa, Sankhu patichaur, Khopasi, Rudrapur VDCs) and 1 Birendranagar Municipality.

Total 812 school students from Government schools were benefited from the program including 589 girls and 223 boys along with many school teachers as well. The students were made aware about the general concepts of Menstruation and Menstrual Hygiene management, benefits of menstrual pads, and ways to cope with the complications. Thus the program was very successful as menstrual hygiene day is being celebrated for the first time internationally and nationally as it has been a crucial issue that needs proper attention.

A Day Training on Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM)

One day training on Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) was successfully conducted on 24^th May, 2014, organized by Paschim Paaila in collaboration with ENPHO and Khwopa College at Khwopa college hall. There were total 24 female youth participants from B.Sc Environmental Science stream. The objectives of the training were planning, MHM orientation, preparation of homemade sanitary pad and its use, etc. in cyclic process as homemade sanitary pads are very much environmental friendly as it could be reused, there is no chemical reagents used and it’s very friendly to handle as well.

The program was coordinated by Paschim Paaila. The facilitators for the whole program were Ms. Kamal Tara Bajracharya (Adolescent and Youth Program Manager, FPAN), Mr. Buddha Bajracharya (Network Coordinator, Paschim Paaila), Ms. Urmila Lama (Campaign Coordinator, Paschim Paaila) and Ms. Renu Duwal (member, Paschim Paaila).  

The main objectives of the training on MHM was to make participants able to know about Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) link with Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM), WASH and MHM, Use and Importance of Homemade Sanitary Pads and Preparation of Homemade Sanitary Pads. The session was conducted with the help of different techniques like PowerPoint presentation, visuals and demonstration as well. All the participants were provided materials and were guided to prepare homemade sanitary pads. The participants showed their active participation throughout the training hour. Discussion was done and feedback was collected at the end of session. 

The program was concluded by Mr. Buddha Bajracharya presenting tokan of love to Mr. Kamal Raj Gosai (Incharge, HoD Environmental Science, Khwopa College).