Call to educate girls about changes within their body

Udupi-Chikkmagaluru MP Shobha Karandlaje said there was a need to educate adolescent girls in rural areas on the changes occurring within the body when they attain puberty.

Speaking after inaugurating the project initiated by The Dr T M A Pai Chair for Social Entrepreneurship, Manipal University to educate the adolescent girls over the menstrual and reproductive hygiene here at Perdoor High School, the MP said that female undergo sensitive changes during puberty and she may not be in a position to understand the changes that is taking place on her body and also the psychological transformation that happens during the phase.

She added that mothers do not counsel their daughters over the menstrual cycle as discussing the issue is always considered a taboo. However, the society is changing and these days the societal ban over discussing such issues is disappearing.

These developments indeed would be useful for the adolescence children, especially females. The psychological changes in the minds of these kids should also be addressed, she opined. 

Dr T M A Pai Chair for Social Entrepreneurship, Manipal University chairperson Dr H G Joshi said that as many as 22,500 girls in 180 high schools (90 in Udupi district and 90 in Dakshina Kannada district) in rural areas would be reached out following the target. The focus would be on the age group of 10-19. Adolescence is a crucial phase of every human being and it is the time, when the child tries to acquire lots of knowledge through its environment.

Proper guidance
In case of girl, she also needs to take care of her health and hygiene as she is expected to begin with menstrual period at this stage. Adolescent girl need proper guidance and she is expected to follow the practices in order to keep her free from unwanted accidents at this crucial juncture.

He added that researches highlight the need for intervention through counseling and other methods to educate the adolescent girls of rural areas, as they are mostly unaware of certain issues relating to menstruation, hygiene, reproductive health etc.

Counselling
Joshi said the project would also promote healthy practices among adolescent girls through counseling. Besides, it attempts to inculcate among them the habit of using quality napkins by supply of local sanitary pads. A team of trained volunteers from the University will educate the girls and the intervention is through a scientific method of education and carefully designed training materials. 

The presentation of videos, stories and incidents would be the part of counseling and educating about proper maintaining of hygiene practices.

The use of sanitary napkins and the disposal of these napkins would also be taught to girls in the training session. As part of the initiative, distribution of sanitary napkins to the adolescent girls is also planned after the training. Each packet contains eight pads which are produced by SHGs.

He said the project would be a constant attempt from June 1. Based on the demand and manufacture, attempt would also be made to provide them free sanitary napkins for the entire  year.  Currently one packet would be supplied to each girl. Around 3000 packets are manufactured forthe purpose. As many as Rs 15 lakh is earmarked to take up the project. The two Self Help Groups are manufacturing the sanitary napkins, he added.

The Manipal University , Community Medicine Department Head Dr Veena Kamath said that  huge amount of stigma is associated with menstruation. The girls would also not be in a position to understand the hygienic aspects associated with menstruation and reproductive health. 

The mother will also be not in a position to advise her girl child. The child follows the mother and uses cloth, which is reused every time.

The cloth is not properly washed and dried. It is dried at a very corner of the house, which leads to the fungal infection.

She added there is a high risk of poor menstrual hygiene.