Page 14 - MHM Report-2023
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GAins for socieTy help increase reporting and help-seeking for cases of
A holistic, scalable and sustainable MHM urogenital infections for timely treatment and also
programme aims to enable knowledge, prevent them.
adoption and sustained practices of safe MHM
behaviours, reinforced by a supportive socio- ii) social empowerment
cultural environment. While women and girls Social discourse on menstruation helps break down
benefit directly from this approach, the gains barriers and taboos. Girls and women are empowered
are experienced by others too. Research results to open up and talk without fear or shame. They gain
suggest that safe MHM practices can lead confidence to share their experiences and benefit
to improved reproductive health for women, from a stronger understanding of their own health
informed decision making between married and body functions.
couples, better community living and higher
social well-being. iii) Higher literacy
Inability to manage menstruation is a key contributor
i) better reproductive health to higher drop-out rates among schoolgirls. Awareness
Research studies have established direct links of and access to reliable menstrual hygiene products,
between a lack of hygienic MHM practices and coupled with availability of MHM-friendly WaSH
higher instances of infections such as RTIs facilities to change them at regular intervals, can
in women. Changed perceptions regarding reverse the trend of school absenteeism and drop-outs
menstruation and better MHM methods can by girl students.
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