A CASE PRESENTATION: WOMEN’S MENSTRUAL HEALTH AWARENESS AND SANITATION PROJECT IN PATAN, GUJARAT
“I am Sejalben from Village Anavada, Dist Patan, Gujarat. I am 26 years old and am working as an ASHA worker in the village since the last 2 years. I had participated in the menstrual health and sanitation meeting organized by AWAG in my village along with 45 adolescents and women. It came to light that these young women and girls were hesitant and embarrassed to use sanitary napkins. Infact even I had never used sanitary napkins earlier. Moreover, given the situation of water scarcity in the village, maintaining hygiene during menstruation poses a challenge, failing which women are susceptible to reproductive ailments.
After attending the meeting I gained awareness on the importance of using sanitary napkins. With the guidance of AWAG, I introduced all the young women and adolescents in the village to sanitary napkins and ensured that they start using it. The sanitary napkins are made easily accessible to them at a subsidized rate. An average of 100 sanitary napkins is utilized by the women in the village each month. The response has been positive and encouraging so as to prevent the occurrence of reproductive tract ailments.”
Sejalben, Village Anavada, Patan