Education
NCW Chief Emphasises Importance of Discussing Menstrual Health with Children
In a significant move towards promoting menstrual health and hygiene, the National Commission for Women (NCW), in collaboration with SheWings, organised an event in Delhi on May 28 to mark Menstrual Hygiene Day. The event aimed to raise awareness about menstrual health among women and girls, highlighting the critical role parents play in this dialogue.
NCW Chairperson Rekha Sharma, during the event titled ‘From Menstruation to Menopause’, underscored the necessity for parents to initiate open conversations about menstrual health with their children. Reflecting on her own experiences, Sharma shared the challenges she faced discussing her menstrual cycle with her parents during her youth. She encouraged every parent to talk to their daughters and sons about menstrual health and hygiene to foster a healthier and more informed environment.
“It was very difficult to talk about periods during our teenage days, and that is the reason I encourage every parent to talk to their daughters and sons about menstrual health and hygiene,” Sharma stated. She recalled keeping her periods a secret initially and the lack of awareness that surrounded menstruation during her adolescence. Sharma’s personal anecdotes highlighted the need for better education and openness in discussions about menstruation.
The event also featured insights from Meenakshi Singh of the Indian Revenue Service (IRS), who emphasised the importance of women’s education and economic independence. “We support women’s education and economic independence. From small businesses to leading companies, women are everywhere. We must educate and empower women for the future,” Singh said.
Madan Mohit Bhardwaj, the founder of SheWings, reinforced the event’s theme, ‘Together for a Period-Friendly World’. He stated, “A woman is more productive when she is in good health. Our effort is ‘Healthy Woman, Healthy Family.’ On this Menstrual Hygiene Day, our theme is ‘Together for a Period-Friendly World.’”
According to UNICEF, 1.8 billion people menstruate every month globally, yet many struggle to manage their menstrual cycles in a dignified and healthy manner. The event by NCW and SheWings aimed to address this issue, promoting a period-friendly world and continuous advocacy to break the stigma surrounding women’s health issues.
(This story is based on inputs from ANI and India Today.)