Community based training on homemade sanitary pad making

Prepared by: Ms. Punam Chauguthi, Member, Paschim Paaila Batch III

Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) is major concern for marginalized group of girls/women who usually have to suffer physically, socially and emotionally such as missing out schools, reproductive health problems, and restrictions in houses/temples. However with better MHM knowledge, resources and practice, these issues can get lower significantly. Thus, Paschim Paaila in collaboration with Madhe Nepal Municipality, Suryapal Ward-3, Lamjung, organized community based MHM and homemade sanitary pad making training on 2^nd - 6^th March, 2020 to Dalit Women Group in Lamjung. The program was organized to aware women group on menstrual hygiene management and to train them on homemade sanitary pad making with an ultimate expectation to have commercialization of homemade sanitary pads to support girls/women for better MHM resources and to support local community for economic improvement.

The community based five days training focused on information sharing on Menstrual Hygiene Management and Sanitary pad (Sanghi) making, theoretically and practically. Apart from engaging participants in making of homemade sanitary pad, the sessions of training was made interactive and participatory with sharing of personal experience and cultural practice sharing regarding menstruation and menstrual health, misconception on menstruation, story-telling and demonstration of handwashing.

Altogether 16 women from Dalit Women Group of the municipality participated in the program. The training was facilitated by Paaila Punam Chauguthi, Paaila Sagar Gosai and Ms. Saraswoti Basnet. Paaila Punam Chauguthi and Paaila Sagar Gosai are members of Paschim Paaila Batch III and Ms. Saraswoti Basnet is trainer from Bansighat Community, Kathmandu who attended the training on MHM and Homemade Sanitary Pad Making organized by Environment and Public Health Organization (ENPHO).

Ms. Anjali B.K., one of the participants said “This five days training was very effective especially to the women of village who are always backward in any activities. By this training, we got knowledge on menstruation process, menstrual health, homemade sanitary pad making and additionally, processes of water purification at household level and importance of proper/safe sanitation.”

Accomplishment of JWF Fund Project at Baluwa Secondary School, Kavre

Accomplishment of JWF Fund Project

Child Friendly Handwashing Platform

Paschim Paaila with the support of Japan Water Forum (JWF) Fund- 2013 and in collaboration with ENPHO accomplished the construction of Bio-Sand Filter, Child friendly hand washing platform and providing the training on menstrual hygiene management and making homemade sanitary pad at Shree Baluwa Secondary School, Baluwapati- 4 VDC, Kavre.

Shree Baluwa Secondary School, Kavre

The major objective of the project was to improve the health condition of school students and to decrease absenteeism of girl students.

1000 Liters Bio-Sand Filter

A Bio-sand filter (BSF) of capacity 750 liters with 1000 liters of reserve tank and collection tank were installed to provide access to safe drinking water to the students.  Training on proper maintenance of BSF was provided to the members of school management committee, school administration and students of the school on 13^th March, 2014. Likewise, School WASH campaign was conducted among 125 students and a WASH Circle of 7 members were formed. 

VDC Secretary giving Speech along with Network Coordinator

The handover program was organized on 30^th March, 2014. Mr. Mukunda Prasad Gajurel, Secretary of Baluwapati VDC, Kavre was as the chief guest. He highlighted on the importance of proper maintenance of the filter installed and requested all for the continuity of the support for its regular maintenance. 

Glimpse on S-WASH Campaign

Mr. Buddha Bajracharya, Network Coordinator of Paschim Paaila/ENPHO emphasized on further responsibility of School management committee and students on sustainable operation of filter installed and hand washing platform constructed. Mr. Krishna Bahadur Tamang, Chairperson of Baluwa School management committee further committed on trying their level best for the sustainable operation of the filter and the handwashing platform. 

A Day Training on MHM and homemade sanitary pad Preparation

A Day Training on MHM and homemade sanitary pad Preparation

During the Preparation of Homemade Sanitary Pad

Day long training on Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) and homemade sanitary pad Preparation was conducted at Baluwapati Secondary School, Baluwapati-4, Kavre on 13^th March, 2014. The training was executed by Paschim Paaila as a part of Japan Water Forum fund under the project “Construction of Bio-Sand Filter, Child friendly hand washing station & training on making homemade sanitary pad and menstrual hygiene management” In collaboration with ENPHO.

The main objective of the training program was to promote hygiene behavior of school students particularly among girl students and to address hygiene & sanitation problems during menstruation.

After Training with Pads

Group Photo after Training

The training was divided into three sessions. First session focused on personal sharing about menstruation and the complication related to it. Second session was of menstrual hygiene management (MHM) and the last session was the technical session about the preparation of home-made sanitary pad using locally available clothes. Total of 55 girl student of class 8 and 9 attended the training with 3 female teachers.

At the end of the program Menstrual Hygiene Care Team (MHCT) with total of 8 students and 2 female teachers were formed who will be responsible to raise awareness among other girl students in the school in coordination with School administration and even provide homemade sanitary pad as per necessity.