Raipur, May 12 : A two-day Master Trainers’ Training Programme under the campaign “Tarunya Varta #PeriodsParKhulkar” was inaugurated on Monday in Raipur to promote awareness on Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM). The programme is being jointly organised by UNICEF and The Bharat Scouts & Guides, Chhattisgarh.
The training programme is being held at Shri Balaji Vidya Mandir, Raipur, with participation from Bharat Scouts & Guides district organisation commissioners and leaders from all districts of the state, with three representatives attending from each district.
Addressing the inaugural session as the Chief Guest, Dr. Varnika Sharma said that menstruation should not be surrounded by silence, but by awareness and open dialogue. She emphasized that every girl has the right to safe, hygienic, and dignified menstrual management. She appreciated the initiative undertaken by UNICEF and Bharat Scouts & Guides.
Presiding over the programme, Inderjeet Singh Khalsa said that the menstrual hygiene campaign launched in collaboration with UNICEF would be taken to every section of society across Chhattisgarh. He informed that the campaign will conclude on May 28 in the presence of the Hon’ble Chief Minister.
Seema Kumar stated that the campaign is dedicated to dignity, equality, and health security for girls. She noted that the initiative is not only about menstrual hygiene but also about empowering adolescent girls. She highlighted that the campaign would help break myths and unnecessary social taboos associated with menstruation.
She further added that the campaign would not remain limited to girls alone, but would also engage boys to build awareness, understanding, and sensitivity around menstruation, thereby reducing hesitation and stigma. She also stressed the importance of discussing menstrual hygiene management with parents through school PTMs to encourage positive conversations within families.
Speaking about the objectives of the campaign, UNICEF Behaviour Change Specialist Abhishek Singh said that the initiative would help improve health and hygiene awareness among adolescents, promote better menstrual hygiene practices, and encourage open conversations on menstruation while reducing misconceptions and hesitation. He added that the campaign would also strengthen girls’ confidence and empowerment.
During the inaugural programme, UNICEF Child Protection Specialist Chetna Desai, WASH Specialist Shweta Patnaik, Bharat Scouts & Guides National Headquarters Commissioner G Swami, Red Cross Society Vice President Rupesh Panigrahi, State Headquarters Commissioner Ravish Gupta and State Coordinator Membership Growth Mohammed Sadique Sheikh were also present on the dais.
The programme was conducted by State Training Commissioner (Scout) Poonam Singh Sahu, while the vote of thanks was delivered by State Joint Secretary Beena Yadav.
On the first day of the training, sessions were facilitated by UNICEF SBC Consultant Abhishek Tripathi, WASH Officer Birja Kabi Satpathy and Ashish Kumar. The two-day training programme is being coordinated by Dilip Patel.
The event was also attended by State Training Commissioner (Guide) Sarita Pandey, State Organisation Commissioners Amit Kshatriya and Jalwati Sahu, along with other dignitaries and participants.
School Education Minister of Chhattisgarh Gajendra Yadav also conveyed his best wishes for the success of the campaign.
