Initiative supports menstrual hygiene movement
The Niine Movement is an ambitious 5-year plan that aims to tackle the taboos associated with menstruation by engaging all genders and ages to step forward and join hands to promote the importance of menstrual hygiene awareness.
The Niine Movement was launched on 28th May 2018 with the Menstrual Awareness Conclave. The movement is supported by Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar who graced the conclave. The event convenes renowned film personalities, academics, policymakers, government officials, activists, medical experts, business stalwarts, NGOs, and thought-leaders, to discuss the impact that stigma and taboos have had on menstruation, which have held girls and women back for centuries from achieving their potential and living a life of respect and dignity.
Akshay shared a tweet about the #18to82 campaign, highlighting the need to close the gap between the 18% of menstruating females in India who use sanitary napkins, and the 82% predominantly engaging in unhygienic practices such as hay and ash. To address the issues begins with starting open and unafraid conversations on menstruation that help to breakdown taboos.
The problem in numbers
– 35,50,00,000 – Menstruating Women and Girls in India | 71% – Have No Knowledge Of Menstruation Before Their First Period
– 82% girls use Alternatives, Such As An Old Cloth, Rags, Hay, Sand, Or Ash. Only 18% use Sanitary pads
– 6,30,00,000 adolescent Girls That Live In Homes Without Toilet Facilities
– 88% Adolescent Girls Are Unaware Of The Health Implications That Could Occur Due To Poor Menstrual Hygiene
To bridge the gap between 18 to 82%, the Niine Movement will engage multi-sector groups in India including governments, corporates and the NGO community to sustain not only a discussion but encourage affirmative action on addressing menstrual hygiene management. To achieve its vision, the Niine Movement’s theory of change adopts a three-pronged approach by: Educating girls, women, boys and men of good menstrual hygiene practices; Enrolling citizens and existing menstrual hygiene product users in a supportive, taboo free environment to create an open forum for discussion and deliberation and; Enhancing the sanitation sector of India by providing the best quality menstrual hygiene products at appropriate prices.
The Niine Movement has also established a strategic partnership with Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI).
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