P&G Whisper and UNESCO India have joined forces to raise awareness on menstrual education and hygiene management, particularly among women and young girls in school.
Together, they have introduced five teaching-learning modules titled “Spotlight Red,” which serves as a tool to promote menstrual health and hygiene management, targeting educators, young adults, persons with disabilities, gender-related issues, and nutrition.
Under the initiative #KeepGirlsInSchool, these modules offer comprehensive resources and strategies for learners, educators, and community leaders, informed an official statement.
According to P&G and UNESCO, these modules aim to enhance understanding and skills related to menstruation management while creating awareness about its societal impact. Their goal is to empower adolescents from diverse backgrounds, including girls with disabilities, by providing access to period and puberty education. The modules also aim to establish supportive environments through interventions at the school, state, and national levels, ensuring these adolescents can continue their education.
As part of the #KeepGirlsinSchool campaign, P&G Whisper and UNESCO India have launched a National Survey and Gap Analysis report on Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management. The report highlights that in poor urban areas, 50 pc of adolescent girls aged 15 to 19 lack access to hygienic methods for managing their periods.
The launch event for these initiatives was attended by Dr. Sujata Bhan, the Head of Department of Special Education at SNDT Women’s University (SNDTWU) in Mumbai, Disha Parmar, an Indian actress, Dr. Huma Masood, a Senior Gender Specialist at UNESCO India, and Kruti Desai, the Communication Head at Whisper P & G.
Actress Disha Parmar, lending her support to the Whisper’s Keep Girls in School campaign, said, “I am proud to have partnered with Whisper and UNESCO to support their Keep Girls in School movement with a new initiative Spotlight Red. I am so glad we are finally speaking about periods openly without any embarrassment and shame. Fairly so, because Periods koi bimari nahi… sharminda hone ki cheez nahi…Periods toh ek strong, healthy woman banne ki nishani hai. As I embark on a journey of motherhood, like every mother, I would want my child to grow up in an environment where menstruation is not a taboo. I am sure that in coming years, menstrual health and hygiene will be given the importance that it deserves.”
Dr. Huma Masood, Gender Specialist at UNESCO New Delhi Multisectoral Regional Office, said, “Spotlight Red – A UNESCO and P&G Whisper initiative, #KeepGirlsinSchool, is a comprehensive approach to address the urgent need for menstrual health and hygiene management in schools. With 23 million girls dropping out annually due to lack of proper facilities and information, we combine education and advocacy to empower every learner and menstruator.”
With an aim further break down barriers and eliminate stigma surrounding periods, a “Pride of Period Anthem” was also presented, fostering a more inclusive future for all individuals who menstruate.
