Lucknow: As the world celebrates Menstrual Hygiene Day on May 28, the Uttar Pradesh government has directed all state-run upper primary and composite schools, including Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas, to constitute Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) Clubs.
Directives Issued by DGSE
According to the directives issued by Director General of School Education (DGSE) Monika Rani, these MHM Clubs will organize fortnightly meetings to disseminate knowledge among peers regarding safe MHM practices, behaviors, and related topics.
Structure and Roles
Each club will consist of 10-12 girls who will serve as MHM peer leaders. These clubs aim to foster awareness and empowerment regarding menstrual hygiene issues. They will establish pad banks within school premises, from which girls can procure sanitary napkins free of cost in emergencies.
Educational Activities
The clubs will also educate students on the correct usage of sanitary napkins and facilitate discussions on the importance of an iron-rich diet and hygiene during menstruation. Once a month, club members will organize an 'MHM Dialogue' involving a doctor or an Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) to dispel myths and misconceptions.
Rani emphasized, "Mothers should also be invited to attend this session." She added that the MHM Dialogue sessions will educate girls about menstrual health and hygiene, foster open dialogue, share accurate information, and address girls' questions and curiosities.
Additional Initiatives
Furthermore, a designated section of each school will be developed as an MHM corner, where paintings and slogans related to menstrual hygiene will be created.
