Diyani 8.0 - Her Well (First Phase )
~Access to basic sanitation should be a basic right, not a privilege~
Sanitation and hygiene practices are crucial for maintaining health and well-being, yet many people, particularly women, face significant barriers in accessing proper education and resources. Menstruation remains a taboo in many cultures, viewed as shameful or impure due to cultural and religious norms. This stigma prevents open discussions and limits access to information and resources. As the world observes International Menstrual Hygiene Day 2024 with the theme "Period Friendly World," the question remains: Are we ready to talk openly about periods? To address this, Leo Club of University of Colombo conducted "Her Well" on 11th October 2024, marking the first phase of Diyani 8.0. Held at Ihala Madampalla Ranasinghe M.V., the project aimed to raise awareness about sanitation and menstrual hygiene among students, targeting both boys and girls to break period-related stigmas and promote inclusive health education.
The project chairperson coordinated with the school and arranged the necessary sanitary items based on identified needs. The team then prepared sanitary kits containing sanitary napkins, women's undergarments, soap, toothbrushes, and other hygiene essentials. And also we invited Bhagya Irugalbandara, an undergraduate from the University of Colombo, Faculty of Medicine to conduct the awareness session. She used her expertise in counseling and psychological aspects to effectively engage the students.
On the day of the event, we visited the school and held an interactive discussion on sanitation and menstrual health with the students. The session focused on normalizing conversations about menstruation and included both boys and girls to challenge traditional gender norms. Through engaging activities, students were encouraged to share their thoughts and ask questions, creating a supportive environment for open dialogue. At the end of the session, we distributed sanitary kits to the girls, providing essential resources to help them manage their hygiene. Additionally, we provided refreshments to the students to create a friendly and engaging environment.
It was truly heartwarming to see the gratitude of the girls who received the sanitary kits. Their appreciation was a powerful reminder of the significance of our efforts. The 'Her Well' initiative marked a crucial step forward for Diyani 8.0, as it not only broke the silence around menstruation but also empowered young girls with essential hygiene resources. Finally the project chairperson expressed heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed, and the project committee presented tokens of appreciation to the resource person in recognition of her support. Our team felt great satisfaction knowing that our efforts made a real difference in the lives of students.
- by Leo Malithi Pabasara -
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