Description

On July 20th, 2024, the Community Service Avenue of Mount Carmel Rotaract Club organized an event titled "Her Health Her Power".The primary goal was to educate young girls about menstruation, promoting a healthy understanding and breaking the stigma associated with it. The event targeted girls aged 8-12, providing them with essential knowledge about menstrual health, hygiene, and self-care. Our objective of the Project was to provide accurate information about the menstrual cycle and associated bodily changes, to teach proper menstrual hygiene, and to encourage open discussions about menstruation, helping to reduce the stigma around it. The event kicked off with an icebreaker session designed to help girls feel more at ease by having them introduce themselves. We began with a discussion on general health and hygiene to gauge what the kids already knew, leading to the question "How do you know when you have grown up?" We then proceeded to explain menstruation, using stories and videos to facilitate their understanding. We discussed the process, why it occurs, and its significance for girls' health. Additionally, we covered the importance of practicing proper hygiene and the bodily changes that occur with the onset of menstruation. A few girls had already started with their menstruation who also provided as guiding figures for the younger girls. We also extended our discussion to good touch and bad touch and what to do in case they feel insecure. At the end of the event, we distributed sanitary pads to the girls' home, and many of the girls shared that they felt more confident and knowledgeable. It's important to continue offering support and resources to young girls as they manage their menstrual health, as this will greatly improve the program's effectiveness.