- Anjali Tyagi
Menstrual hygiene remains a critical issue in urban slums across India, where traditional practices, lack of awareness, and inadequate access to sanitary products continue to hinder the well-being of women and girls. GPF India's recent Period Awareness Workshop, held in the DLF Ankur Vihar slum area, aimed to address these challenges through education and the promotion of sustainable menstrual practices.
The workshop, attended by local women, was designed based on the insights from a survey conducted with 53 participants. This survey revealed the socio-economic factors and knowledge gaps that hindered proper menstrual hygiene management in the community. Building on these insights, the workshop addressed topics such as menstruation, menstrual hygiene, and the importance of sustainable menstrual products. By focusing on preventive care for conditions like PCOD and endometriosis, the workshop aimed to empower participants with both knowledge and practical solutions.
One of the key highlights was the interactive nature of the workshop. Using models, charts, and other visual aids, the facilitators broke down complex subjects into easily digestible information. The women actively participated in discussions, asking questions and engaging with the material. This interactive approach was vital, as menstruation remains a sensitive and often taboo subject in many communities.
The workshop concluded with the distribution of sustainable menstrual products, including biodegradable bamboo pads, reusable cloth pads, and menstrual cups. These sustainable alternatives not only address menstrual hygiene needs but also contribute to reducing the environmental impact of traditional, non-biodegradable sanitary products.
The environmental implications of conventional sanitary products are staggering. Each year, the average woman produces around 150 kilograms of non-biodegradable menstrual waste. In India alone, an estimated 121 million women and girls use eight disposable pads per month, generating approximately 1.021 billion pads of waste monthly and 12.3 billion annually. This waste, which is non-compostable, often ends up in landfills or water bodies, contributing to pollution and posing a serious threat to the environment.
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