Menstrual hygiene: PM’s speech motivates social workers to debunk myths better

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently spoke about the topic of menstrual hygiene, in his speech on 74th Independence Day, and social workers have appreciated the move that is helping take their campaigns forward.

When the words ‘menstrual hygiene’ were recently heard from the Red Fort as part of Prime Minister’s Independence Day speech, it was surely a first. And this has given a new shot of energy to the social workers who had been working for the cause of menstrual hygiene for years, as they notice a visible change coming through in people’s mindset.

Many social workers, across India, have been working for the cause of menstrual hygiene among women.

Sharma, who has been serving meals to the underprivileged in Delhi-NCR, and has also taken up the cause of menstrual hygiene, adds, “In the present time (of pandemic), it’s difficult for many to even get two square meals a day; buying sanitary pads has become an unthinkable luxury. So, we decided to help women have menstrual hygiene by offering them free sanitary pads. PM’s motivational speech has pumped us to do more since only 36% women have access to sanitary pads, and millions are still forced to use husk or dirty clothes. And it’s proven that poor menstrual hygiene can lead to fatal infections, urinalysis tract infection and even cervical cancer.”

Delhi-based Anurag Chauhan who has been trying to spread awareness about periods through Break The Bloody Taboo campaign, says, “I want to thank PM for striking up a conversation on this topic, which is till date many a times not even discussed inside with family in a living room... Once I was in Chomu village of Rajasthan, to address a female gathering about this subject. And one of the ladies, must be in her 60s asked me if I also menstruate! Initially, I thought she’s making fun of me, but soon I realised that she was serious, and was shocked to hear her say, ‘Kya pata jaise main chupati hun, vo bhi chupate ho’. Imagine the level of unawareness on this topic in women like her who are married and have kids... So when a man, and that too the PM of this country talks about periods on I-Day, it not just boosts our morale but also helps us spread more awareness.” Chauhan runs an NGO, Humans for Humanity and the campaign is one his projects.

A similar sentiment is echoed by a social worker Lalitha Yadav, who provides basic hygiene utilities to sex workers and underprivileged in GB Road and Najafgarh, as part of a Delhi-based NGO, Society for Participatory Integrated Development (SPID). “When a prominent figure like the PM addresses the nation on subject like periods, it does create an impact! There are a lot of stigmas attached with it, especially among the males. Now, whenever we will address the issue among our audience, we happily take reference of Modiji’s speech and this helps us take the conversation ahead,” she says sharing how just a mention has set the ball rolling.

Author tweets @ruchikagarg271

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