Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham Collaborates with UNESCO to launch Menstrual Health and Hygiene Campaign in Bengaluru

by Priya Jadhav

50% of adolescent girls (aged 15 years to 19 years) in poor urban areas do not have access to hygienic methods of managing periods 

Economically developed states like Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and the union territory of Delhi exhibited a higher adoption rate of hygienic methods

Bengaluru / June 23, 2023: UNESCO India and Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, one of India's top ten universities according to the NIRF 2023 Rankings, have joined forces to launch a campaign aimed at raising awareness about menstrual health and hygiene management, particularly among women, including young girls attending school Bengaluru during an event organized by the Gender Equality and Integrated Holistic Health Working Groups of C20 India at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham’s Bengaluru Campus, with the support of OMNEX. Introducing five teaching-learning modules developed by UNESCO India with Procter & Gamble, Whisper, the campaign was nationally inaugurated at Amrita Hospital, Faridabad on the 8th of June 2023. These modules address the various challenges associated with menstrual health and hygiene management, such as disability, gender, educators, young adults, and nutrition.

Titled "Spotlight Red," the teaching-learning modules offer comprehensive resources and strategies for learners, educators, menstruators, and community leaders. Their purpose is to enhance understanding and skills related to menstruation management while fostering awareness about its societal impact. The modules aim to empower adolescents from diverse backgrounds, including girls with disabilities, by providing them with access to period and puberty education. Moreover, they seek to create a supportive environment through interventions at the school, state, and national levels, enabling these adolescents to continue their education.

UNESCO India and P&G also launched a National Survey and Gap Analysis report on Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management under the #KeepGirlsinSchool campaign. The report revealed that in poor urban areas, 50% of adolescent girls (aged 15 to 19) lack access to hygienic methods for managing their periods. However, economically developed states like Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and the union territory of Delhi exhibited a higher adoption rate of hygienic methods. More than 220 people attended the event, including girl students, teachers from various schools in Bengaluru, along with civil society organisations. The #KeepGirlsinSchool initiative enjoys the support of advocacy partners, including the UNESCO Chair for Gender Equality & Women’s Empowerment at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham the Civil20 India Working Groups on Gender Equality and Integrated Holistic Health and OMNEX.

Distinguished guests attending the launch included Chief Guest Mrs. B. B. Cauvery, IAS, State Project Director, Samagra Shikshana Karnataka; Mrs. Rupali Ganguli, Indian Television, Actress; Dr. Akkai Padmashali, Transgender rights activist; Dr. Huma Masood, Senior Gender Specialist, UNESCO India; Ms. Kruti Desai, Communications Head, Whisper, Procter and Gamble India; Dr Manoj P., Dean, School of Business, Campus Director, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Bengaluru, Dr. Sriram Devanathan, Principal, School of Engineering, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Bengaluru

During the event, renowned Indian television actress, Mrs. Rupali Ganguli, said, “Today, 1 in 5 girls drop out of school due to a lack of menstruation education and products. Shockingly, 70% of girls are unaware of periods when they first experience them. Even mothers who are girl’s closest friends, teachers, lack knowledge about the science of periods. I take immense pride in collaborating with Whisper and UNESCO to unveil inclusive and exhaustive teaching modules. All of us can be changemakers and contribute in our own small ways to ensure that the daughters of this country can attend school and experience their first period without confusion or embarrassment. They should be able to live, play, and study with confidence and comfort. I am glad that I got the chance to spread awareness about menstrual hygiene and health and be the changemaker.”

Dr. Huma Masood, Gender Specialist at UNESCO New Delhi Multisectoral Regional Office, stated, “It is time to acknowledge the alarming statistics: an estimated 23 million girls drop out of school each year due to the lack of proper menstrual health and hygiene management. This partnership marks a crucial step forward in ensuring that every learner, every menstruator, is empowered and no one is left behind. With a comprehensive approach combining education and advocacy, we have developed five teaching learning modules dedicated to addressing this issue. Our first thematic area focuses on menstrual health and hygiene for gender empowerment, recognizing the gendered impact of menstruation on all genders. We firmly believe that by incorporating a gender lens, we can create a more inclusive and equitable educational environment. We have also developed a module that covers age-appropriate, rights-based, and skill-based education for early childhood care to tertiary education. Through critical thinking, discussions, and decision-making, we aim to instill a sense of empowerment and reflection in young minds.”

She further added, “In our pursuit of inclusive and equitable access to menstruation-related support, we must challenge the prevailing shame, stigma, and misconceptions surrounding menstruation. We acknowledge that menstruation is a natural process and have worked in collaboration with governments to ensure equal access to menstrual products and education. Our programs and schemes are aimed at bridging the gap and providing necessary support. To gain a comprehensive understanding of the current realities in India, we conducted a gap analysis and survey report in seven states: Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal. This qualitative and quantitative initiative brings to light the challenges and opportunities within the education system.”

Chief Guest Mrs. B. B. Cauvery, IAS, State Project Director, Samagra Shikshana Karnataka, said, “Menstrual health and hygiene management is a crucial topic that demands our attention. Cultural practices that ostracize women and perpetuate discrimination must be challenged. We need to empower girls, break barriers, and provide clean facilities in schools. Access to sanitary pads and clean water is essential. Let's prioritize nutrition and address the societal factors that lead to school dropouts and child marriages. We must unite and include all children, including transgender and those with special needs. Collaboration with knowledge partners is vital, and we need to break the silence and remove the taboo surrounding menstruation. Acceptance and equality should be embraced by all. Together, we can create a society where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.”

While sharing her experience, Dr Akkai Padmashali, Transgender rights activist, said, “I was born male, but I transformed into a female. I yearned to understand what it truly means to be a woman. But being a woman is not as simple as it seems; it means fighting against patriarchy, dominance, and societal expectations. In 2012, I underwent gender affirmation surgery, and as I lay on the hospital bed in Bangalore, seven bedsheets soaked in blood, I emerged as a transgender woman. I shared this truth with my mother, who warned me of the challenges women face in society. She spoke of the monthly pain she endures, reminding me that pain knows no gender, sex, or sexuality. Pain is universal. And so, I questioned the constructs that bind us. Fortunately, the government in Karnataka has taken steps to address women's concerns through guarantees and initiatives. I extend my gratitude for such inclusive perspectives which has instilled hope within us, ensuring that our diverse identities find acceptance in society. As an intersex person, a transgender individual, a lesbian, a gay person, or anyone who falls under the umbrella of gender diversity, I long for a society that understands and celebrates our existence. It is through self-confidence, self-respect, self-love, and self-equality that we can truly effect change in any society.”

Dr Manoj P, Dean, School of Business, Campus Director, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Bengaluru, said, “In our brief existence, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham has emerged as a beacon of research, innovation, and advocacy for sustainable development, gender equality, and technological advancements. Our commitment to making a difference in society has been recognized by the Government of India, placing us among the top five universities in the country. We are honored to host the launch of the teaching learning module on menstrual health and hygiene management in Karnataka. Our esteemed Chancellor, Amma, graces this occasion, symbolizing our university's pursuit of academic excellence and social responsibility.”

During the event, UNESCO showcased a comprehensive survey and gap analysis report, accompanied by a series of short films that effectively portrayed different dimensions of Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management. These films shed light on the diverse experiences and perspectives related to this vital subject matter, spanning across seven states in India. To further break down barriers and eliminate stigma surrounding periods, an empowering "Pride of Period Anthem" was also presented, fostering a more promising and inclusive future for all individuals who menstruate.