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30pc teenage girls miss school during period

Finds National Hygiene Survey

BSS, Dhaka
Menstrual health issues are common among young women, and the taboo surrounding it often makes matters worse. Some women say that they feel scared to go out during their period, and they also have misconceptions about sanitary napkins, thinking that the pads cause diseases and discomfort.
At least 30 percent adolescent girls miss school during their period, and 64 percent of schoolgirls do not receive menstrual health education at their school, said the National Hygiene Survey of 2018.
Proper practice of menstrual hygiene gets hindered due to superstitions, lack of awareness, and the stigma surrounding the issue.
Expert physicians say menstrual
health is directly linked to sexuality and reproduction and lack of hygiene can lead to infections and infertility.
They recommend using sanitary napkins or clean, soft cloths; both must be changed or washed at regular intervals.
Chandan Gomez, director of World Vision Bangladesh (WVB), a Christian humanitarian organisation, said women are yet to overcome the many superstitions surrounding menstruation.
"Many people still view it as a secret issue affecting women. Discussion is prohibited, girls are encouraged to hide from men and avoid going outside, whereas menstruation is a natural physical occurrence that does not deserve the stigma," he said. Although the topic of menstrual hygiene has been included in school textbooks, most institutions do not teach that chapter to teenage girls. Citing the example of Holy Cross Girls' High School, he said there should be the facility of providing pads at schools, and girls should be counselled on physical changes during adolescence.
"It is important to teach girls about menstrual health while they are young, so they can be more aware and active," he added.
Associate professor of gynecology at National Cancer Research Institute and Hospital Dr Afroza Khanom said the stigma around the issue makes mass awareness difficult. "It is unfortunate that we still cannot openly discuss menstruation among family members or in the social sphere," she said.
Some have the misconception that girls should avoid protein-rich foods like fish, meat, and eggs during period, Afroza added. She said women should maintain a
balanced and nutritious diet instead.
She mentioned the government's efforts in this regard, saying awareness is increasing and menstrual hygiene is a priority now.
Presenting a keynote paper at a seminar marking Menstrual Hygiene Day 2019 on May 28 in the capital, executive engineer of Department of Public Health Engineering Sharmistha Debnath said the percentage of girls who were aware of menstruation before their cycle started rose from 36 percent in 2014 to 53 percent in 2018.
Local Government Division senior secretary Ghulam Farooque said there has been progress in the indicators of schoolgirls' menstrual hygiene management, but there is still a long way to go.
He said the practice of keeping separate washrooms for girls and boys is crucial, and the government is working to ensure this facility. Separate wash facilities were constructed at 32,000 primary schools and work is going on at 65,000 other schools.