Menstrual Hygiene Day: Women should take iron-rich food

Karimnagar: Several activities like rallies and awareness programmes were conducted on the occasion of Menstrual Hygiene Day in Rajanna Sircilla district on Tuesday.

The representatives of ICDS, Anganwadi workers and supervisors, CPDOs, health staff, ANMS, doctors and self-help groups took out a rally in the city on the day and later organised an awareness programme at Podupu Bhavan here.

Speaking on the occasion, District and Rural Development Officer (DRDO) Project Director Ravinder said that due to lack of awareness about Menstrual Hygiene, women and girls living in villages are suffering from physical and mental issues. In some villages, still there are restrictions on women and girls, like the girls are not allowed to go to schools during the five days of menstruation and not to touch anybody or anything.

The health officials along ICDS staff must create awareness among the villagers and tell them not to believe such superstitions and must bring a change among them to adopt new methods instead of following the age-old ones for personal cleanliness. Just like the wide publicity, which was given over construction of toilets in villages, in the same manner awareness programmes about menstrual hygiene must be conducted in all the villages.

The District Welfare Officer explained the precautionary measures that must be taken during menstrual cycle and advised girls and women to take balanced diet, including iron for maintaining their health in good condition.

Women are more prone to suffer with ureter related problems, during delivery etc, if they don't maintain cleanliness during menstruation period. The DWO suggested the women not to dispose the used sanitary napkins everywhere like in toilets, roadside and at other public places, which may cause inconvenience to the public.