Project Dignity

Menstrual hygiene has been an issue of concern since a long time especially in the developing countries where a significant part of the community is oblivious to the importance of hygiene practices to be incorporated for menstrual health and there are myths and taboos that have led to conventional handling one of the most vital issues affecting women. According to the statistics revealed by Borgen Project, 71% girls in India don’t have any knowledge about menstrual health until after their first period.  Lack of toilets; deprive girls to use menstrual products as there is no private space for women to manage their hygiene. To address this issue, NSS unit of IIS (deemed to be University) Rotary Club Jaipur Gurukul collaborated with Rotary Club Dausa for the installation of sanitary napkin vending machine and incinerator under the aegis “Project Dignity” in the university campus. The event was graced by some remarkable guests who are playing a vital role in promoting community welfare. We had DG Balwant Ji Chirana and Dr. Anjali Pathak (Senior Clinical Nutritionist). The guests of the event were warmly welcomed by Dr. Ashok Gupta, Chancellor, IIS (deemed to be University), Jaipur and Professor Raakhi Gupta,IIS(deemed to be University),Jaipur. The guests of the event brought to light the problems women face as far as menstrual hygiene is concerned. There is a need to promote the usage of sanitary pads among women and pad dispensers and incinerators are not only increasing the accessibility of menstrual products for women but also it is encouraging disposal of the pads without adding to litter and hence from the perspective of environment it is more sustainable. The CSR team of Sofy which is a well- known menstrual product brand distributed pads to the students in the university and urging them to normalize usage of pads for all those women who hold on to conservative beliefs and consider periods to be an issue that should never be talked about in open. Dr. Anjali Pathak who is a nutritionist discussed how women should take care of nutritional requirements and that the health should never be ignored no matter how busy they get with the routine. Overall the event was productive and informative. As NSS volunteers are engaged in community work, they resonate with the ideology of Rotary club and at their levels possible attempts would be made to help women achieve dignity and well-being.