MARGAO
South Goa district Magistrate Ruchika Katyal launched the EcoSwitch Campaign on Sustainable Menstrual Health by Human Touch Foundation, on International Youth Day at Canacona.
Over 60 adolescent girls from Gaondogrim convened at the Panchayat Hall for the launch of “EcoSwitch”, Human Touch Foundation’s campaign on sustainable menstrual hygiene on International Youth Day.
The campaign was launched by Katyal in the presence of Peter F Borges (Founder of Human Touch Foundation), Suman Gaonkar (Sarpanch, Gaondogrim), Dr Vandana Dessai (Health Officer, Canacona Health Centre) and Simon Rebello (Chairperson, Canacona Municipal Council) at Panchayat Hall, Gaondongrim.
As part of the initiative, the Human Touch Foundation will undertake various on-ground and digital activities including distribution of menstrual cups and cloth pads among underprivileged girls in collaboration with outreach partners.
At the launch, a team of Human Touch Foundation and YWCA Goa, under leadership of Sherly Fernandes and Applesta da Costa, unpacked diverse themes on menstruation, providing a platform for adolescent girls to express themselves on a subject that is rarely discussed in public spaces.
In her address, the district Magistrate said that this kind of youth engagement on a sensitive topic is vital. “It is a matter that concerns not just women and girls, but affects everyone. There is need to advocate for healthy school environments, reduce the social and physical barriers that deny girls of knowledge, and provide them with the supplies and facilities they need to manage their menstruation”, she said.
“Reusable pads of cloth are one of the most sustainable ways of dealing with menstruation. Besides that, the menstrual cup, which lasts for a decade, is another option that women have now,” said Applesta da Costa, Program Lead at Human Touch Foundation.
The campaign supported by Saleve Foundation and Karma Group will focus on promoting the campaign throughout the state, said Peter F Borges, Founder of Human Touch Foundation.
