Menstrual Hygiene Day 2018

Report by Lakmini Jayathilake from the field

On May 28th, 2018 we celebrated International Menstrual Hygiene Day on a chilly morning in Hatton. Oxfam in Sri Lanka, together with our partners conducted a series of awareness programmes that focused on reproductive health and menstrual hygiene. 
The first programme was held at the Fairlawn Tamil Vidyalam, located in a small village in Upcott, Hatton. 91 young girls, between the ages of 11-16 took part. The sessions was conducetd by Dr. Chanthrajan from MOH Maskeliya and Ms. Vinoba Mahenthralingam PHM (midwife)

The students were engaged in a discussion that focused on reproductive health, menstruation cycle, hygiene related to menstruation and quelling common myths about menstruation. T. Arunya, one of the young participants, admitted that the programme helped changed her perspective on menstruation and the myths surrounding it. "We are all curious to learn more about menstruation," she said, eagerly. 

In the months to come, Oxfam in Sri Lanka is scheduled to have 29 similar training to vulnerable communities and young women and girls living in the estate sector and 10 trainings to government officials who directly work with these communities to carry the message further.