June 13, 2023, New Delhi- P& G Whisper in partnership with UNESCO New Delhi, proudly announced Spotlight Red: the launch of five groundbreaking teaching-learning modules on 5 thematic areas which includes disabilities, gender, teachers and educators, young adults, and nutrition along with a comprehensive National Survey and Gap Analysis report on Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management (MHHM) under the initiative #KeepGirlsinSchool. The highly anticipated event took place today at PHD Chambers of Commerce (PHDCCI), August Kranti Marg, New Delhi with the aim of empowering learners, menstruators, communities, and stakeholders with essential knowledge and effective strategies to manage menstruation while driving awareness about its societal impact.
Mr. Anil K Antony, Vice President and Trustee, Navoothan Foundation and Member, BJP was the chief guest at Spotlight Red. Others present were Prof. (Dr) Uma Kumar, Professor and Head, Department of Rheumatology, AIIMS, Ms Kruti Desai, Communications Head, Whisper, P&G India, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) and Ms. Huma Masood, Gender Specialist and National Programme Officer (Gender and Education), UNESCO New Delhi Multisectoral Regional Office.
“It was an honour to witness this initiative and I congratulate everybody involved in this revolutionary project. We have proudly witnessed, over the years, that we have more and more policies and programs in place to reduce and eliminate the problems faced by menstruating women in various aspects of their life; and hope to bring more such initiatives in the coming years,” said Anil K Antony, Vice President and Trustee, Navoothan Foundation and Member, BJP.
Whisper is on a mission to educate the girls of our country on the importance of Menstrual Hygiene. Till date, the brand has educated more than 10 crore girls and mothers on puberty and menstrual hygiene. This influential partnership adopts a holistic approach with a strong gender perspective, firmly committed to advancing MHHM through education and the advocacy of effective menstrual policies. The release of these teaching-learning modules will provide educators and community leaders with indispensable resources for comprehensive understanding and skill development in managing menstruation.
“1 out of 5 girls in India drop out of school due to lack of menstrual education and access to sanitary products. The chapter on period education has been missing from schools, families and communities resulting in 71% girls not knowing about periods when they first get it. For almost three decades now, we, at Whisper, have been dedicated towards period education, spreading awareness about menstrual hygiene, and distributing sanitary pads to girls across India. With this partnership with UNESCO, we are growing our efforts by co-creating and launching a first of its kind period curriculum that can be used in schools and for training teachers and educationalists. Our objective is to ensure the chapter on periods is no longer missing. We aim to empower young girls to achieve their dreams by completing their school education without any gaps and to stop them from dropping out of school because of lack of knowledge of periods,” said Girish Kalyanaraman – Vice President and Category Leader, Feminine Care, Procter & Gamble India.
“Our collaboration with P&G Whisper® India is a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to menstrual health and hygiene management. Through this collaboration, our objective is to drive progress in menstrual health and hygiene management, ensuring equitable access to knowledge and resources for a healthier, more empowered future,” said Hezekiel Dlamini, Officer-in-Charge, UNESCO New Delhi Multisectoral Regional Office.
P&G Whisper India and UNESCO also presented a survey and gap analysis report alongside a series of short films capturing various facets of MHHM and highlighting the diverse experiences and perspectives surrounding this crucial topic from seven states across India. It was complemented by an invigorating and vivid “Pride of Period Anthem” that aims to eliminate barriers and stigma related to periods and cultivate a brighter future for all menstruators.
The launch event marked a significant milestone in the joint commitment to MHHM exemplifying the power of collaboration in effecting positive change. By incorporating these modules into future initiatives, stakeholders can harness the knowledge and resources provided to develop evidence-based policies and programs that prioritize MHHM, thereby transforming the society’s perception of menstruation, ensuring a healthier, more informed future for all.
