Girls Glory - Improve Menstrual Health in India

Reaching Hand's Girls Glory Program - Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) and Menstrual Health Management (MHM) is growing from strength to strength each quarter. 

This quarter, we focused on the construction of new toilet units, provided water facilities with a special provision of constructing separate toliet-blocks for girls. Toilets in schools are necessary for the healthy growth of the children. To construct the toilet blocks and to provide sanitation facilities in schools, some norms were followed in the selection of toilet designs, location, selection of quality contractors in construction of the toilets units. 

Reaching Hand has successfully assisted in making the sanitation program in different schools a sustainable one, which is one of the major strategies to have maintainence covered by the insitutinal bodies at the school level. A sensitization workshop was conducted, which focused on assessing the awareness on WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) for girls and boys and MHM (Menstrual Hygiene Management) practices for girls by using engaging visual aids and participatory activities.

The workshops began with the point of helping the beneficiaries recognize their current knowledge and practices pertaining to hygiene. Behavior change is a critical component of improving access to and practices around WASH. The provision of services alone is not enough to achieve the health outcomes associated with WASH. The facilities must also be utilized habitually and properly at key times. These workshops are seen as a vital exchange platform to allow for necessary knowledge sharing.

Menstrupedia Comic book, a comic book designed specificaly for girls aged between 9-14 years, was distributed at the end of the program. Beautiful illustrations and cartoon characters make it really easy and comfortable for students to talk about menstruation, help in breaking their silence and raise awareness for MHM. 

PROGRAM STATISTICS

Menstrual Hygine Management (MHM) Session

1.  No. of Schools - 10
2.  No. of Girls - 1726
3.  No. of Girls benefitted through workshop - 1203
4.  No. of MHM kits distributed - 1023
5.  No. of Menstrupedia Comic books distributed - 1275
6.  No. of incinerator installed - 4

Health & Hygine Session

1.  No. of Schools - 10
2.  No. of Girls/Boys - 2394
3.  No. of Girls benefitted through workshop - 1650
4.  No. of HH kits distributed - 1000
5.  No. of toilets inaugurated - 6

OUR IMPACT

Ms. Meghashri, 6th Std, GHPS: Ganadakatte, Channagiri, Davangere

"There is a lack of knowledge and information about menstruation. Majority of the girls did not know what happened to them when they experienced menstruation for the first time and therefore were scared. Most of my friends come unprepared to school during menstruation days and often stain their school uniform.

Through sensitization workshop I learnt the importance of personal hygiene especially during menstrual days. I gained knowledge on usage of pads and how to manage stomach cramps during menstrual days.

I thank the sponsors for constructing new toilet units and installing pad burning machine in our premises for girls and we are so grateful to them."