Unicef’s personal hygiene initiative shows impact, helps keep girls in school

LUCKNOW: : An initiative called, ‘One pad, one day of protection in school’ which the Unicef launched to check girls dropping out of school seems to be showing the desired results.

Experts believe that one of the causes for girls quitting school is lack of knowledge about menstrual hygiene and disposal practices, adversely affecting their education and health.

The findings of the research conducted in the programmed area showed 93% girls missed at least one or two days of school on an average due to discomfort caused during periods.

But access to sanitary napkins, information and knowledge about menstrual hygiene showed an immediate impact on school attendance as 97% approved of attending school during menstruation.

The results have been spectacular among community members, adolescent girls, mothers, front line workers and teachers. In the districts where a Unicef infotainment programme called Paheli ki Saheli was implemented, a significant change in menstrual hygiene practices and improvement in confidence among adolescent girls was observed.

‘Paheli ki Saheli’ is an effective tool for adolescent girls, mothers and teachers. It is not just a storybased illustrated flipbook but also contains five short films of 5 minutes each, riddles, activity based games.

Unicef and a leading sanitary napkin brand reinforced their commitment to address the problem that confronts teenage girls. The six-year old partnership has focused on creating innovative communication tools to educate girls on menstrual hygiene.

Yasmin Ali Haque, representative, Unicef India said, “It is just not right that adolescent girls feel the need to miss school due to the pain or stain associated with menstruation. The partnership with Stayfree has created robust communication tools which have equipped girls and people in their ecosystem with necessary life skills on managing this issue.”

The partnership focused on understanding key barriers to menstrual hygiene management. It demonstrated how different social and behaviour change interventions such as interpersonal communication, social mobilization and media-based activities among key stakeholders enhanced knowledge, changed attitudes, built skills and encouraged positive behaviour at individual, family and community levels.

Adolescent girls adopted better disposal practices and they were empowered to speak openly and negotiate for better health and hygiene, while mothers and teachers also spoke freely about the issue.

‘PAHELI KI SAHELI’ IS AN EFFECTIVE TOOL FOR ADOLESCENT GIRLS, MOTHERS AND TEACHERS