Itanagar
The Department of PHE & WS, Arunachal Pradesh, in collaboration with a Mumbai based NGO “Red is the New Green”, who are working in the field of menstrual hygiene management has begun two days workshop on 17th & 18th April’ 2018 at Banquet Hall, Itanagar on the occasion of “Swachh Bharat Diwas” under the aegis of Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin).
A key note address was made by Ms. Devika Sahni, Zilla Swachh Bharat Preraks, East Kameng District. Around 200 (Two Hundred) ASHA Workers of Papumpare District and the Consultants under SBM (G), women representatives from Arunachal Pradesh Women Welfare Society (APPWWS), Arunachal Pradesh Women Commission, SIRD, ICDS, Media persons, NGOs etc. attended the workshop.
During the course of discussion some important issues relating to non-existence of school toilets were highlighted by the participants.
In response to those concerns Toko Jyoti, Mission Director, SBM (G) clarified that the responsibility for construction of school and Anganwadi toilets has been delinked from PHE & WS Department and entrusted to Education Department and Social Welfare Department since 2014.
Bamang Felix, Hon’ble Minister, PHE & WS Department made a quick recap of the Prime Minister’s endeavour to achieve Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) on a mission mode from 2nd October’ 2014 to the achievement of Open Defecation Free (ODF) status in Arunachal Pradesh twenty-two months ahead of the target.
Likewise, he felt that the often unattended and underplayed importance of Menstrual Hygiene Management needs to be addressed on a mission mode by the Department henceforth.
He also opined that the use of sanitary pads in Arunachal Pradesh is a more important issue than the incineration of pads.
Arunachal has about 14 Lakhs population, therefore achieving this mission should not be a herculean task.
He emphasised the need of brain storming session on menstrual hygiene management and assured that the resultant proposal put up to the Govt. would be seriously considered.
Finally, he congratulated the ASHA workers for their selfless contribution at the grass root level.
