Menstrual Hygiene Day: An Opportunity to Reflect on Myths, Silence, and Environmental Challenges Related to Menstruation – Shri Arun Saw

Deputy Chief Minister Participates in Workshop on Safe Sanitary Waste Management and Menstrual Hygiene

Experts Informed Master Trainer Sanitation Sisters of Urban Bodies about Safe Sanitary Waste Management and Menstrual Hygiene

Raipur : Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Urban Administration and Development Shri Arun Saw today participated in a workshop titled “Shakti Samvad – From Cleanliness to Empowerment.” The one-day workshop was organized by the Department of Urban Administration and Development on Menstrual Hygiene Day at the Naveen Vishram Bhavan in Raipur. Experts provided detailed information to the master trainer sanitation sisters of urban bodies on safe sanitary waste management and menstrual hygiene. Mr. Piyush Kant, Vice Chancellor of Amity University, also participated in the workshop.

Addressing the master trainer sanitation sisters, Deputy Chief Minister Shri Arun Saw said that as master trainers, they must disseminate the knowledge gained here to the state’s 10,000 sanitation sisters as well as millions of sisters and daughters so that the hesitation surrounding menstrual hygiene can be removed. He also emphasized the importance of proper disposal methods after using sanitary napkins. Shri Saw said that 28 May is observed worldwide as the Global Menstrual Hygiene Day. It not only highlights women’s right to menstrual hygiene but also provides an opportunity to reflect on myths, silence, and environmental challenges related to this topic.

Shri Arun Saw said that the purpose of Menstrual Hygiene Day is to raise awareness about the importance of menstrual hygiene management and to provide women and girls with a clean and safe environment to protect their rights. The increase in health facilities in toilets constructed under the Swachh Bharat Mission has contributed to better menstrual hygiene practices among women and girls. This campaign has also played a significant role in raising awareness about menstrual hygiene management.

Mr. Shashank Pandey, CEO of the State Urban Development Authority (SUDA), said in the workshop that today we are discussing a very important topic. This day is not only related to women’s health and hygiene but also to society’s mindset, awareness, and sensitivity. World Menstrual Hygiene Day is observed every year on 28 May to encourage open discussion on the subject and increase awareness, thereby eliminating myths, discomfort, and silence surrounding it. Even today, open discussions on this topic are rare in our society.

Mr. Pandey informed that this is the first workshop organized by the department on safe sanitary waste management and menstrual hygiene. Similar workshops will be organized in all urban bodies in the future. He added that sanitation sisters will be made aware of health issues so they can work in a safe environment and guide and train the state’s 10,000 sanitation sisters.

Dr. Randeep Guleria, former Director of AIIMS and Padma Shri awardee, shared information on menstrual hygiene with sanitation sisters present at the workshop via video conference. Dr. Akanksha Singh from Amity University gave a presentation on menstrual hygiene, educating sanitation sisters about sanitary pad disposal and necessary precautions during menstruation. UNICEF WASH specialist Mr. Ashish Kumar delivered a presentation on personal hygiene.

Sanitation sisters working at the state SLRM centers were given a presentation on the systematic disposal of domestic hazardous waste and risk-free operation of the SLRM centers. Dr. Sabapathy S., along with Ms. Ritu Verma and Mr. Devidas from the menstrual hygiene-related startup ‘Samarthan,’ presented on menstrual hygiene and personal hygiene. Additional Executive Officer of SUDA, Mr. Dushyant Kumar Raisat, along with officials from the Urban Administration Department and SUDA, were also present at the workshop.