Officials along with the students and faculty of Don Bosco Higher Secondary School during the menstrual health and well-being programme held in Dimapur on June 1.
Dimapur, June 1 (MExN): A Menstrual Health and Well-being Programme held at Don Bosco Higher Secondary School, Riverbelt Colony, Dimapur on June 1 highlighted the need to break the stigma surrounding menstruation and promote greater awareness of menstrual hygiene, mental health and bodily rights among young people.
The programme was jointly organised by Menstrual Initiative Nagaland, Breeze Women Welfare Association, Community Health Initiative and Ohan Ki, and brought together students, educators, health professionals and community leaders.
Chairing the event, Loreni Sophia, Advisor of Community Health Initiative, Dimapur, stressed the importance of awareness about personal rights and bodily safety. Referring to the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, she said understanding one’s rights and safety forms an integral part of conversations on menstrual health and well-being.
The keynote address was delivered by author and counsellor Alokali Zhimomi, who spoke on the theme “Period and Mind: Menstrual Hygiene and its Impact on Mental Health”. She highlighted the psychological impact of stigma and silence surrounding menstruation, saying that shame associated with a natural biological process can adversely affect the confidence, mental peace and self-esteem of young women.
Zhimomi emphasised that menstrual health should not be viewed solely as a matter of hygiene but also as an issue of mental health and human dignity that deserves attention in homes, schools and communities.
Guest of Honour W Nginyeih Konyak, former chairperson of the Nagaland State Commission for Women (NSCW), called on families, educational institutions and communities to normalise discussions around menstruation. She also drew attention to the challenges faced by women and girls in remote areas in accessing sanitary products and menstrual hygiene facilities.
While noting that urban centres such as Dimapur and Kohima generally have better access to sanitary products, she stressed the need to ensure that women and girls in interior villages are not left behind.
Chief Guest Y Imlimungla, president of Naga Women Hoho Dimapur, shared her personal experiences of growing up in an environment where menstruation was treated as a taboo subject. Recalling how girls were often expected to hide themselves during their menstrual periods, she urged society to move beyond outdated practices and encourage open conversations on menstrual health.
The programme began with an invocation prayer by Tolibo Sarah Swu, school counsellor of Don Bosco Higher Secondary School. A special song, “Heal the World”, was presented by Ashum Jingar and Alister Bebo of Class 8A.
The vote of thanks was delivered by Nungsang Pongener of Class 10A. Organisers said the programme sought to empower young people with knowledge and encourage a more informed, inclusive and supportive approach to menstrual health and well-being.
.JPG)
