Educate both girls, boys that menstruation not a matter of shame: Irani on Menstrual Hygiene Day

On the occasion of Menstrual Hygiene Day on Thursday, Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani called for educating not only girls but also boys that menstruation is not a matter of shame. Menstrual Hygiene Day highlights the importance of good menstrual hygiene management. It also seeks to break taboos and negative practices around menstruation like the enforced social exclusion of women and girls during their periods.

"Affordable sanitary napkins have been made available through all Jan Aushadhi Kendras thereby ensuring #MenstrualHygiene for millions of Indian women. On #MHDay2020 let's commit ourselves to educate not only girls but also boys that menstruation is not a matter of shame," Irani said in a tweet. National Commission for Women Chairperson Rekha Sharma said a woman's biological cycle should never become a barrier in the way of her opportunities.

"At times when our country is aspiring to be a superpower, it becomes more of a responsibility to pull out of gender stereotypes and strive to get our daughters to access good menstrual hygiene," she said in a series of tweets. "A woman's biological cycle should never become a barrier in the way of her opportunities. Every woman is entitled to safe periods. Access to good menstrual hygiene is a right," she added.

Menstrual Hygiene Day was first observed on May 28, 2014.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)