13, Feb 2024
Empowering Women: Menstrual Hygiene Awareness
By S.R.Karthika,Tutor, Saveetha College of Physiotherapy
Introduction:
Menstrual hygiene is a crucial aspect of women’s health, yet it remains a topic often shrouded in silence and stigma, particularly in India. Lack of awareness and misconceptions surrounding menstruation can have profound effects on young women’s physical and emotional well-being. This write-up aims to shedlight on the importance of menstrual hygiene awareness among young women in India.
Challenges Faced by Young Women:
Lack of Education:
Many young women in India grow up without proper education on menstruation. This lack of awareness can lead to confusion, fear, and unhygienic practices during their menstrual cycles.
Social Stigma:
Societal taboos and cultural norms contribute to the silence surrounding menstruation. Girls may feel ashamed or embarrassed to discuss their menstrual health openly, leading to a perpetuation of misinformation.
Limited Access to Resources:
In rural areas, access to sanitary products and proper sanitation facilities may be limited. This poses a significant challenge to maintaining good menstrual hygiene practices.
Importance of Menstrual Hygiene Awareness:
Health and Well-being:
Proper menstrual hygiene is essential for preventing infections and maintaining overall reproductive health. Awareness campaigns can educate young women about the importance of using clean and safe menstrual products and adopting hygienic practices.
Empowerment:
Menstrual hygiene awareness empowers young women by dismantling taboos and fostering a sense of confidence and self-esteem. When girls are informed, they can make informed choices about their health without fear or shame.
Education and Productivity:
Lack of access to menstrual hygiene products and facilities can lead to absenteeism among schoolgirls. By promoting awareness and ensuring access to necessary resources, we can contribute to increased school attendance and better academic performance.
Strategies for Menstrual Hygiene Awareness:
Education Programs:
Implement comprehensive menstrual hygiene education programs in schools and communities to ensure that young girls have accurate information about menstruation and its management.
Community Engagement:
Involve community leaders, parents, and local influencers in promoting open discussions about menstrual health. Breaking the silence at the community level helps in creating a supportive environment.
Distribution of Menstrual Products:
Ensure access to affordable and sustainable menstrual products, especially in underserved areas. This can be achieved through government initiatives, NGOs, and public-private partnerships.
Digital Awareness Campaigns:
Utilize digital platforms to disseminate information about menstrual hygiene, reaching a wide audience and breaking down geographical barriers.
Conclusion:
Menstrual hygiene awareness is a crucial step towards promoting the health, dignity, and empowerment of young women in India. By addressing the challenges and implementing effective strategies, we can contribute to a society where menstruation is not a source of shame but an integral part of a woman’s life, celebrated with dignity and respect.
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- By Rabindra
4, Jan 2024
Companies that are making the IVF process hassle-free and accessible for women
According to a report from the Office of National Statistics, more and more working women are choosing to have children later in life, often in their thirties, owing to the pressure of having to balance a family with their jobs, have a higher standard of living, and increasing cost of raising children. The India in-vitro fertilization (IVF) services market size was valued at $883.50 Million in 2022 and is estimated to surpass $4667.80 Million by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 18.08% from 2023- 2032.
Here are some of the companies making the IVF process hassle-free and accessible for women.
Arva
Founded in 2023, Arva is a new-age fertility tech company that empowers women and their partners to build families on their timelines. Arva Health, a startup focusing on women’s healthcare through data-driven insights, has introduced home fertility tests for women. Arva offers an at-home fertility diagnostic test with a personalized analysis and goal-based recommendations that can be tracked over time. In addition, Arva provides a Fertility concierge- a team of wellness experts, including gynecologists, nutritionists, and mental health counselors, to offer support during the fertility journey.
Elda Health
Founded in 2020, Elda Health is a digital wellness platform that understands and stands for women, globally. Elda offers holistic mid-life and wellness solutions through physical, mental, medical, and social interventions. From menstruation to menopause: Elda Health believes in a “you first” approach. Work hand-in-glove with a community of women who grow together, and encourage them in their
journey of self-care and wellbeing. At Elda, it creates a positive sense of self. Women should feel empowered, making strides in all walks of life. Supporting wellness through mindful initiatives, led by its expert panel of doctors, programs are designed to provide undivided attention to women and mid- life care, globally.
Maya
Founded in 2012 Maya, earlier known as LoveCycles, offers a smartphone app for women that acts as a smart menstrual cycle tracker with offerings such as assigning color codes, password protection, setting reminders to phone calendar, backup and sync data (available on paid premium version) along with recording metrics such as weight, temperature, pill intake, symptoms among others. The app is available across multiple OS platforms. Product of Plackal Technologies. The app is being used by 6 million+ users across the globe and is available in 15+ languages.
Subhag Health Tech
Founded in 2018, Subhag Health Tech is the developer of infertility treatment devices. The company uses patented technology and develops Intra intra-uterine insemination kits for infertility treatments. The products include Androwash and V-conceive. Subhag HealthTech has come up with VConceive, the world’s first home-based IUI (Intrauterine Insemination) kit. Subhag has invented the world’s first home IUI (Intrauterine Insemination) kit named V conceive ™ to solve the problem of childlessness for infertile couples without visiting doctors and IVF clinics. Apart from VConceive, Subhag HealthTech has also developed AndroWash which eliminates the andrologist from the value chain. This preprogrammed, automated, sperm washing device will now enable gynecologists to perform the sperm wash at their clinic without depending on the labs.
