Menstrual hygiene is the least talked about topic in our country because of the stigma attached to it and lack of information. In today's time, almost 60-70 per cent were found to be skipping school during their periods. When there is a lot of taboo surrounding the topic, Save the Children NGO has been educating and emphasizing on hygiene as an essential part of menstruation management where they teach girls to have a safe period.
Now, celebrated author, newspaper columnist and film producer and former Bollywood actress Twinkle Khanna will be joining forces with Save the Children NGO as an 'Artist Ambassador' in order to promote menstrual hygiene and adolescent health among children. She will be working with its partner agency Apnalaya who will be undertaking an awareness programme to interact with adolescents from the community.
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"My journey with respect to menstrual health started 6 years ago. Then I realised that taboo was not just around me but within me. After realising, I wrote about Arunachalam Muruganantham, a social activist from Tamil Nadu who introduced low-cost sanitary pads. I realised that the movie will be the right medium to cut across the taboo that's widespread. While I was writing Padman, many demotivated me and I took it as a challenge. As a team, we were very determined and when our movie got released, we realise the impact. Next month we saw the state government introducing sanitary napkin vending machines. When I visited Govandi with Save the Children NGO and Apnalaya, I was amazed to see the children who were so confident and the best part was both save the children and Apnalaya were educating boys. We very well know the patriarchal society we live in. In such a scenario, educating boys is a very good thing,” said Twinkle Khanna.
Amongst this was Saleha Khan who now creates awareness regarding menstrual hygiene among children of her age and parents as well.
"It is been three years, I am associated with Apnalaya. When I was 12 years old, I happen to come across Apnalaya office where a session on menstrual hygiene was taking place. Then I was hearing it for the first time. When I asked y teachers if I could participate, they said no to me adding that I was too young for all of this. My parents were also not happy with my decision. My sister got married after passing 9th standard and now because she was married off at a very early age, she has many health concerns. I tell my parents if she would have some knowledge she would have not faced any health issues. I convinced my father along with my friends’ parents who thought that I was colluding their children's minds. I want my community that they should receive the right to information, menstrual hygiene,” said Saleha Khan.
Save the Children, CEO, Save the Children said that Saleha like champions can have an impact on their peers as they listen.
"I believe that empowering our adolescents is very important. When Twinkle came on board with us, it has added a huge impetuous to our work.”
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