Girls Glory - Improve Menstrual Health in India

Seasonal greetings to you from Reaching Hand. It’s our pleasure again to update you about the happenings at this part of the world. It wasn't a great three months though, as we are in the process of assessing the menstrual taboos and current knowledge about menstruation in our schools. We are saddened to hear the responses of girls with regards to the seclusion they go through at their home, school, temples and communities during their menstrual time. "I stay in separate room during my period!" was one of the responses. 

Progress report during the previous quarter

Over the last three months we conducted about 13 Assessments in Schools, 2 Puberty Education and 8 Health and Hygiene Education. We also inaugurated 3 renovated toilet blocks and are in the process of building totally 14 new toilet blocks in the coming quarter. The construction was little slow previous quarter due to rains and flood in our neighboring state Chennai.

Information on our Girls Glory Education

Along with the help of amazing volunteers Saldon from Jammu and Kashmir, Rashmi from Florida, Audrey and Danny Forest from Montreal we have put together two manuals one on Puberty Education and other on General Health and Hygiene for the age group of 7-14 years. We are focusing on removing the menstrual taboos and also most importantly explaining the process of puberty and reason behind blood flow, so that girls are aware that menstruation and onset of puberty is just a normal function of the body just like other functions. Through Health and Hygiene Education, we are focusing on educating children on how to keep themselves away from germs to avoid epidemics and viral fevers of various kinds which is rampant here at Bangalore. 

Issues and concerns

Maintenance of toilets that are being constructed is one of the main issues we are facing currently. Many of the schools we are providing additional support by engaging third party agencies for cleaning and also fixing tanks to store water around the toilets to ensure continuous water flow even at times when there are long power cuts. We have also planned to make a WASH Committee in each of these schools including the School Authorities, Local Leaders and Students to ensure on maintenance and daily checks on the cleanliness of the Sanitation Facilities.

Celebration

November 19th being the World Toilet Day, we celebrated the same in our Nagenahalli School with inauguration of renovated toilet and Health and Hygiene Awareness Program.

We at Reaching Hand have made it our motto to remove all menstrual taboos among the children and their communities at Bangalore. Thanks to your support that we can continue our work relentlessly. Do continue supporting us, and join hands with us in making Bangalore menstrual taboo free.

Links:

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