Duration: June-2017to September-2018
Location: 50 nosschools in Purulia district of West Bengal
Financialinvolvement : 10,60,920.00
Menstruationand menstrual practice remains as a taboo and socio-cultural restriction forwomen and adolescent girls, yet it is not spoken about openly causingunnecessary embarrassment and shame among the community. There is a traditionalpractice still continuing in thecommunity such as using clothes as absorbent and reused for several monthsafter wash. There is also an overpowering concern to keep drying and airing ofcloths in their house, that result in ending poor hygienic and health concern.Although poor Sanitation is correlated with absenteeism and drop out of thegirls, efforts in school sanitation to address this issue have ignoredmenstrual management in toilet design and construction mainly for girls’ toilet.Unsafe disposal, throwing the used cloth into ponds, rivers or in the field has beenthe major concern of hygiene and environment. And to tackle thesituation “Menstrual Hygiene Management Program" a CSR Initiative of COALIndia Ltd. With Nirman Foundation, has been initiated in 50 nos. of Schools,selected by District Education Dept., in eight blocks of Purulia district inthe month of July 2017. Underthis Project, Agragami has taken different program activities like:, DevelopInter-personal Behaviour Changes Communication, Community Mobilization and IECactivities, Establishment of Napkin Outlet at Schools, Sanitary Napkin Promotion,distribution for easy access of Napkins in their need. Sets of 50 nos. Vendingmachine & Incinerator have been installed. Besides these Training & IEChave been provided to 5000 nos. students & teachers of those Schools. 45000packets of Sanitary napkin were also distributed during this period. Monitoringand maintenance of the machines are being conducted on a regular basis. Apart from this, MHM Day is being celebrated every year in different areas of the district to promoteMHM hygiene amongst adolescent girls.