Breaking the Silence and Empowering Young Girls, One Pad at a Time!
Menstruation is a natural biological process often surrounded by stigma and misinformation. To combat this, the Drokpo Team conducted an awareness program on April 27, 2024, for 38 young girls aged 9-17 at Metta Tsering Holmes, focusing on period management basics. Our main goal was to equip these girls with essential knowledge and practical skills, helping them confidently manage their periods and learn to make reusable sanitary pads.
We began the session with an introduction to menstruation, discussing what a period is, how it occurs, and the role of hormones in the menstrual cycle. We fostered a safe and supportive environment for the girls to share their thoughts and experiences. Many of the girls viewed menstruation as impure and were unaware of its biological basis. To address this, we presented an educational video that explained the menstrual cycle, helping the girls understand their bodies' monthly changes and emphasizing that menstruation is a normal and healthy part of growing up.
Next, the girls learned about various menstrual products, including reusable sanitary pads, tampons, disposable pads, and menstrual cups. The session highlighted the pros and cons of each option and the proper disposal of used products. Additionally, we taught them gentle yoga postures, nutritional guidelines for period cramps, hygiene practices during menstruation, and when to seek medical help for severe pain.
One of the program's highlights was the hands-on pad-making class. We demonstrated how to make reusable sanitary pads, which are cost-effective, skin-friendly, and environmentally friendly compared to single-use products. The girls eagerly participated in the pad-making training, showcasing their sewing skills by creating cloth pads.
By breaking the silence and empowering these young girls with knowledge and practical skills, we hope to foster a more informed and confident generation.
