Page 31 - MHM Report-2023

The Apron:

Teaching human biology

or Supriya Saidane in Dhadgaon block,
Nandurbar district, Maharashtra, the apron
Fshe wears is an important tool of education.
The apron in question is not a regular one; it bears
an illustration of the female reproductive system.
Often met with giggles at first sight, the apron
has succeeded in delivering the right information
around menstruation.
Like Supriya, several team members of the
Tata Trusts’ MHM programme effectively use the
apron to explain the biology of menstruation to
women and men alike. The visual impact of the
apron is further aided by exercises where women
are asked to close their fists to gain an idea of the
size of the uterus. Next, the women learn where
each of their vital reproductive organs are placed
in their bodies. They also relate these to their
monthly periods. Understanding the body and
its functions is the first and most important step For Navli Bai from south Rajasthan, MHM
towards women’s menstrual health. counselling opened up a new line of conversation
“Knowing about ‘safe days’ helps me with with her husband. “My husband did not know
family planning,” says Savita Tudu, a 20-year-old anything about it (menstruation) earlier,” she
from Chanaro village in Jharkhand’s Hazaribagh says. “Now he understands and helps me with
district. Savita is one of the thousands of women housework when I have my periods.” Awareness
who have benefitted from the Tata Trusts’ MHM has turned Navli Bai into an MHM crusader in her
counselling sessions. Information about bodily community. She encourages her friends to have a
changes accompanying the onset of puberty, the frank and open conversation about menstruation
role of the menstrual cycle in family planning, and with their husbands.
charts on period trackers are also made available Getting the men similarly aware of the
at these sessions for women and adolescent girls. biology behind menstruation is critical to the
Tata Trusts’ MHM interventions extend sustainability of the intervention. For instance,
awareness on human biology (both male and in a rural, patriarchal setup, male consent and
female) to adolescent boys and men through participation is crucial to ensure that sufficient
different counselling sessions. Anecdotal evidence WaSH facilities are created. Further, women are
suggests that involving young boys and men in more likely to discard superstitious practices
MHM programmes helps escalate success on two related to menstruation when supported by a male
main counts: access and awareness. family member.

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