New Delhi, May 28 (IANS). Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday held a virtual interaction with principals of government schools and officials of the education department on the occasion of World Menstrual Hygiene Day. During this, he reiterated his resolve to make schools more safe, sensitive and convenient for girl students.
According to a government statement, the Chief Minister announced several important policy decisions under the ‘Menstrual Health Matters’ campaign.
In the meeting held through video conferencing, CM Rekha Gupta said that a special advisory will be issued to ensure regular maintenance and timely refill of sanitary pad vending machines installed in government schools, government offices, public toilets and health temples.
He said that the entire system is being centralized, so that every girl student and woman of Delhi can be provided with high quality biodegradable sanitary pads. The government will pay special attention to providing safe, clean and quality-tested sanitary materials.
The Chief Minister said that a comprehensive awareness campaign will be conducted across Delhi through Asha and Anganwadi workers to provide correct information related to menstrual health to every household.
Menstrual health education will be made more effective and strengthened in the curriculum for classes 6 to 9 to increase awareness at the school level.
Rekha Gupta said that there is a need to create such an environment in schools where girl students can openly share their problems and get the necessary support to overcome mental stress.
Expressing concern over the poor condition of toilets in some schools, he said complaints have been received about lack of cleanliness and basic facilities. He directed that toilets in all schools should be kept clean, broken doors and other damaged structures should be repaired immediately and problems should be resolved quickly in coordination with school funds or concerned authorities.
The Chief Minister also said that apart from menstruation, girl students will also be made aware about important health topics like PCOS, anemia, cervical cancer, menopause and HPV vaccination. Regular health sessions will be organized in Arogya Mandirs, where doctors and trained health workers will interact directly with women and girl students.
On this occasion, Education Minister Ashish Sood said that menstrual health is not just a matter of health, but it is also an issue related to respect, awareness and self-confidence.
He said that it is the responsibility of the Education Department to continuously run awareness campaigns on this topic in schools, because public discussion on this issue has been limited for a long time.
–IANS
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