Naharlagun: The Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Women (APSCW) in collaboration with the Oju Welfare Association (OWA) on Saturday organized an awareness camp at the OWA premises here to mark World Menstrual Hygiene Day.
The camp, which aimed at spreading awareness of the importance of good menstrual hygiene management, was sponsored by the National Commission for Women (NCW), New Delhi.
Addressing the event, APSCW vice-chairperson Nabam Yahi Tad encouraged the women and girls to treat menstruation as a normal and healthy part of life and disregard the myths and taboos surrounding it.
“We should open up on menstruation by organizing more awareness programmes. Every individual, irrespective of their gender should be able to discuss menstruation openly. Also being a woman, we should take this issue seriously,” Tad said.
Further citing examples of corporate houses like Zomato which grants menstrual leave to its female staff, Tad said a collective decision should be taken to adopt a similar policy in the state.
Speaking as resource person, Indian Medical Association state unit member Dr Miranda Panggeng spoke in detail on menstrual hygiene and shared several tips that can help the women and girls stay healthy and lead a hygienic life.
OWA chairperson Ratan Anya in her address appealed to the APSCW to forward a recommendation to the government seeking the establishment of sanitation facilities for women in market areas, schools and other important places.
APSCW member secretary Mabi Taipodia Jini and member Kago T Yasung also spoke on the occasion.
More than 50 inmates of OWA, Swadhar Grah and the APSCW staff participated in the camp.
A nukkad natak (street play) by Women Helpline-181 run by OWA at Pachin Colony and distribution of sanitary pads were the other highlights of the day.
