News
National launch of UNESCO and P&G Whisper Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management teaching-learning tools
UNESCO New Delhi, in partnership with P&G Whisper® today launched #Spotlight Red: the launch of groundbreaking teaching-learning modules on 5 thematic areas which include disabilities, gender, teachers and educators, young adults and nutrition, along with a comprehensive National Survey and Gap Analysis report on Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management (MHHM) under the initiative #KeepGirlsinSchool.
The national launch took place on 13 June 2023 with PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) as the advocacy partners at the PHD House in New Delhi.
Anil K Antony, Vice President and Trustee, Navoothan Foundation and Member, BJP. was the Chief Guest for the launch. Prof. (Dr) Uma Kumar, Professor and Head, Department of Rheumatology,AIIMS New Delhi was the Guest of Honour. The event also solicited the presence of various stakeholders including representatives of Government of India, UN agencies, and civil society organizations.
This influential partnership adopts a holistic approach with a strong gender perspective, firmly committed to advancing MHHM through education and the advocacy of effective menstrual policies. The release of these teaching-learning modules will provide learners, educators, menstruators, and community leaders with indispensable resources and strategies for comprehensive understanding and skill development in managing menstruation, while driving awareness about its societal impact.
It was an honour to witness this initiative and I congratulate everybody involved in this project. We have proudly witnessed, over the years, that we have more and more policies and programmes in place to reduce and eliminate the problems faced by menstruating women in various aspects of their life; and hope to bring more such initiatives in the coming years.
Menstruation has historically been regarded with secrecy, which is particularly quite problematic for school-going young girls as it creates hesitance and misinformation. Menstruation is not something to be hidden and I appreciate how this project is breaking taboos and barriers.
The Government of India has been promoting inclusive and equitable access to menstruation-related support. Menstruation is a natural process, but the shame, heavy stigma and misconception attached to it is prevalent even today. In an unprecedented turn of events this subject figured in Hon. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's Independence Day speech of 2020. Taking a cue from that instance we have come here today creating a momentum that will resonate throughout India. Ms Huma Masood, Gender Specialist and National Programme Officer (Gender and Education), UNESCO New Delhi Multisectoral Regional Office
The launch event marked a significant milestone in the joint commitment to MHHM exemplifying the power of collaboration in effecting positive change. By incorporating these modules into future initiatives, stakeholders can harness the knowledge and resources provided to develop evidence-based policies and programs that prioritize MHHM, thereby transforming the society's perception of menstruation, ensuring a healthier, more informed future for all.
