Bhubaneswar: During the World Menstrual Hygiene Day event, Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida emphasized the need to destigmatize menstruation, describing it as a divine gift. The celebration, organized by the Women and Child Development (W&CD) department alongside the NGO Aaina, took place at the State Institute of Women and Children on Thursday. Parida urged for a shift in societal attitudes and called for mothers to prioritize the care of their daughters over their sons. She also advocated for the establishment of women-friendly spaces in public areas and stressed the necessity of maintaining clean restroom facilities for female students in educational institutions. W&CD principal secretary Shubha Sharma highlighted the initiatives undertaken by the Odisha government to challenge the existing taboos surrounding menstruation.

The event was supported by various organizations, including WaterAid, PCI India, Piramal Foundation, HealthPlus, Navo Plus, Unicef, CYSD, Views India, UNDP, CIAFAR, PJS, and Water Initiatives.