The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) Himvir Wives Welfare Association (Hava) organized a seminar in collaboration with the Shewings Foundation to raise awareness about menstrual and reproductive health. The program was organized on the occasion of Menstrual Cleanliness Day at 22nd Corps, ITBP, Tigdi Camp, New Delhi.
The title of this seminar was “Menstruation and reproductive health for women in forward deployment”. Its main objective was to empower women personnel who are working in remote and challenging areas to have menstrual information, medical help and availability of hygiene resources.
‘Talk to daughter openly on menstruation’
In the program, Dr. Vijay K. Rahatkar, Chairman of the National Commission for Women, shared his experience, saying, “When your daughter has a menstruation for the first time, talk openly with her and celebrate it in a dignified way in the family.” He told that his grandmother had accepted the subject easily.
The seminar also held a panel discussion in the presence of gynecologists and public health experts, which discussed scientific aspects of menstrual and reproductive health. The panel included Dr. Gauri Aggarwal, Dr. Mamta Goyal, Dr. Shyam Sundar, Dr. Prerna Sharma, Dr. Preeti, Bina Mansukh and Harshika, who were honored for her contribution.
Gauri Rasgotra, the President of Hava said, “It is a matter of happiness that Hava organized this important program. Menstruation is not only a matter of cleanliness, but it is also to mental, physical and emotional health.”
Steps towards women’s development
The program ended with a vote of thanks by Harshika Burman, Secretary of Hava, in which he thanked all the guests, participants and colleagues. This initiative is in line with the vision of the “Women-Dominated Development and Inclusive Public Health” of the Government of India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It reflects the national resolve of “healthy women, healthy countries”, in which women, especially women working in security forces, will be more powerful and aware.
