Parents, experts welcome move to sensitise children

Mumbai: The state government’s decision to soon starting training its teachers and education officers on how to sensitise students about menstruation has gone down very well with parents of students. Since the taboos surrounding menstruation still have firm roots in Indian society, the situation can be improved if both girls and boys are given correct information about it, experts said.

Experts feel that 10 is the best age for a girl child to learn about menstruation and hygiene.

Dr Ganesh Shinde, gynaecologist at Rustom Narsi Cooper Hospital, Juhu, says it is important to train the trainers first in order to get better results.

“Once the teachers are trained, they will do the rest of the job. Then again, if the government or the agency is taking care of the cost barriers and availability of the sanitary napkins, children won’t find it difficult to absorb the trainings,” he said.

Rural areas, which have limited facilities and fewer provisions, will be benefited by this project as will civic schools, where most students belong to the underprivileged category.

“An important reason why this move is helpful is the ‘free’ training. Most parents whose children are in civic schools won’t be able to afford this kind of training if it cost money. Hence, it will really benefit the students,” said Vasanti Verma, a parent.