By Our Correspondent
BERHAMPUR:Adolescents, through the ‘ADVIKA groups’, have taken a proactive role in challenging stigma and social taboos surrounding menstruation among teenagers in the Rangeilunda Block. On the occasion of Menstrual Hygiene Day 2025, these ADVIKA groups celebrated the day by involving school students, youth, PRI members, and the wider community.
As part of the observance, they launched a campaign aimed at sensitizing adolescents and youth in villages on menstrual hygiene, combating stigma, and advocating for improved access to menstrual products, sanitation facilities, public services, and gender equality. Meetings were also held with Self Help Groups (SHGs) different villages in the block to promote awareness and educate adolescents about safe menstrual hygiene practices.
Team members of Youth for Social Development played a key role in spreading awareness on menstruation, health, the appropriate age for marriage, school and college dropouts, and the importance of skill development with a focus on employability and life skills. These efforts, carried out through the ADVIKA adolescent collectives, are helping to empower girls with essential life skills, encouraging them to resume education, and enabling them to make informed decisions regarding their health and future.
This year’s global theme calls for menstruation to be recognized as a normal part of life by 2030. It highlights the need for continued efforts to break taboos, and promote dignity, safety, and health for all who menstruate.
A comprehensive roadmap is already in place to reach girls in all 32 Gram Panchayats of Rangeilunda Block. The plan includes awareness campaigns on menstrual hygiene, addressing stigma, improving access to sanitation products and infrastructure, and providing life skills and leadership training. These initiatives aim to help girls return to school, gain livelihood skills, and promote a gender-equal society. ASHA, ANM, and Anganwadi Workers are also actively involved to enhance service delivery to adolescents.
As part of the global effort to break the silence, raise awareness, and challenge negative social norms surrounding menstrual hygiene management (MHM), and to engage decision-makers at all levels, the world today observes World Menstrual Hygiene Day.
Subhransu Sekher Das, Swati Panda, Biswaranjan Jena, Pratibha Mohanty, Alok Kumar Nayak, and Sudeep Kumar Chakrabarty actively participated in the program and facilitated the efforts of volunteers on the ground
