aaina, with active support of Wateraid-India started its work in 70 villages of 9 Gram Panchayat of 3 blocks of Ganjam district from the month of May-2013 taking the objective of better Menstrual Hygienic Management-MHM of adolescent girls and women. A lot of progress has happened since then. Training on MHM and school sanitation was provided to VEC, PTA, MTA.Teachers Project launching workshop was organized on 22nd July 2013 at Kurum Pentha, Bhanjanagar where all the sub divisional officials, media representatives attended the programme. Regional Manager Wateraid Ms. Bisakha Bhanja shared the stand of Wateraid and the objective of the project. Ms. Sneha Mishra, Secretary, aaina shared the role of aaina and the expectations from the government.
Liaison with government staff was maintained as Project Coordinator Mr. Dillip Kumar Biswal discussed with the DSWO Ms. Mamata Beura and Ms. Madhuri Padhi, and Programme Officer, regarding the project and also regarding the sanitary napkin manufacturing unit. Community meetings are organized regularly with adolescent girls and women of different blocks, high school authorities, Anganwadi workers, ANM and ASHA workers discussing objective of the programme along with better menstrual hygiene management.
Awareness programmes had been organized by project Ananya in villages for the WSHG members and adolescent girls on the issue of MHM. A video show also was arranged to change the attitude of the community members regarding menstruation and to inform on minimum care during menstruation. Capacity building training programme of women SHG members and adolescent girls was organized where participants learned about the hormonal changes during adolescent period and minimum care during menstruation period. Monthly field visits are conducted where Secretary of aaina discusses the progress of the project with the staff and participates in the planning and provides feedback on awareness programme and social mobilization programme.