Northeast Desk, 28th May: In a collaborative effort, the Sulabh Sanitation Club, India, and the Alkem Foundation, alongside the Education Department of the Government of Sikkim, organized an interactive workshop on mental health and hygiene awareness. The event took place on May 28 at the PM Shri Girls Sr Secondary Deorali School auditorium.
The primary goal of the workshop was to develop a menstrual hygiene awareness program aimed at empowering girls and young women by dispelling misconceptions and promoting sanitary menstrual hygiene practices.
The workshop featured the participation of Karma Doma Bhutia, Vice Principal of PM Govt Sr Sec School, Deorali, Chungsang Lepcha, Senior Manager at Alken Labs Samir Kumar, General Secretary of the Press Club of Sikkim DR Dulal, Assistant Director of the Education Department CK Sharma, National Coordinator of the Sulabh WASH in Schools program Rupak Roy Choudhury, as well as teachers and students from the host school.
Chunsang Lepcha welcomed the attendees and expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to be part of the workshop. In her address, she emphasized the health impacts caused by a lack of menstrual hygiene, aiming to improve health through better sanitation practices and to empower the girls and women of Sikkim by initiating dialogue on the often-taboo topic of menstruation.
CK Sharma highlighted the importance of developing hygiene among women and breaking the taboos surrounding menstruation. He also informed the attendees about the Bahini Scheme, which provides free and safe sanitary pads to girls in secondary and senior secondary schools.
DR Dulal, in his address, urged the end of period stigma and the eradication of harmful cultural norms that depict menstruation as dirty and shameful. He encouraged a more open and supportive approach to menstrual health management.
The program included various performances by students, such as dances, skits, and poems, followed by a collective pledge on menstrual hygiene. A workshop was then conducted, delving into the issues of stigma and taboos related to menstrual health management.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks from Rupak Roy Choudhury, the National Coordinator of the National WASH in Schools program.
Read More: Meghalaya Government Shuts Schools as Cyclone ‘Remal’ Approaches