Budgam: The workshop on menstrual health awareness and education with focus areas on understanding menstruation, hygiene practices and Menarche insights was held at Bright Horizons HSS Institute Humhama Budgam last week.
The programme tilted under “Menarche to Menopause Ishq Sehat Apnav” organised by Azadi leader Kaisar Ali under the Azadi Leadership Programme Kashmir Cohort- 2024.
The Azadi Leadership Programme was launched in early 2023 by The Azadi Project in partnership with Libra philanthropies based in New york. The programme aims to provide employability and leadership skills to women and youth from refugee and marginalised communities who face intersectional biases and be a career springboard by providing them with internship/employment opportunities in the industry of their choice.
Over the years, the programme hopes to contribute to having a higher representation of youth from marginalised communities in the global workforce.
The event manager Kaiser Ali briefed the audience regarding the project with holding the focus on the essential knowledge about menstrual health.
At the event a massive participation was witnessed above forty enthusiastic adolescent girls, who engaged actively throughout the program, receiving insights from the speakers.
Team members Aneesa Khan and Mehak Yousaf shared valuable insights on various topics related to menstrual health, including the biological aspects of menstruation, hygiene practices, and the importance of mental well-being during this natural phase of life.
The speakers emphasised breaking the stigma surrounding menstruation and encouraged open discussions among peers and families.
All the leaders initiated and undertook community projects in their areas of interests. This included menstrual hygiene awareness for women, adolescents and children, sexual harassment awareness in educational institutes, and, mental health support for members of the queer community.
One participant who took part in the workshop said that we express gratitude for the opportunity to learn in a supportive environment. The workshop not only educated the girls but also fostered a sense of community and empowerment, equipping us with the knowledge to navigate our menstrual health confidently.
She further said that events like these are crucial for promoting awareness and ensuring that young girls have access to the information they need for a healthy future.
It is pertinent to mention that the Azadi Leadership Programme is a unique initiative designed to transform youth and women from marginalised communities in India into professionals and leaders.
The programme acts as a career springboard by providing participants with extensive training and internship opportunities aligned with their career interests. This programme is supported by Libra Group Social Responsibility, ensuring a wide-reaching impact.
The Azadi Leadership Programme has three focus areas – employability skills, leadership skills, and Internship opportunities. The Azadi leaders are being trained by experts and industry leaders.
Towards the end of the programme, each leader will get to work on a professional affiliation/internship with corporate, non-profit, and public sector organisations. The on-the-job experience provides training, mentorship, and support to each participant including a stipend.
