New Delhi/Mumbai: Though blockbuster film Pad Man has brought the question of menstrual health from fringe towards centre stage, it is not enough. It is still on the backburner making a large swathe of women vulnerable to all manners of infections. Only 18% women use sanitary napkins while 82% of them often revert to unhygienic and unsafe alternatives such as clothes, rags, hay and even hash.
A 3 year mega drive encompassing 500 cities and surrounding villages is all set to take menstrual health awareness far and wide in the country and bridge the yawning gap in the use of sanitary napkins. Niine Sanitary Napkins and Junior Chamber International India have joined hands for this very crucial menstrual health awareness campaign.
The new entrants in the Sanitary Napkins industry, Niine Sanitary napkins have already established their position as menstrual health awareness leaders. They have now taken this to the next level by associating with JCI to unify their efforts to bring about a change in the current menstrual health scenario. JCI and Niine, through this association aim to sensitise the youth of India with the need for menstrual health awareness and mobilise them to work towards a better future.
Ms. Richa Singh, CEO of Niine Sanitary Napkins and Sen Arpit Haithi, National president,JCI Sen formalised their association at JCI India National Head Quarters office in Mumbai. Niine Sanitary Napkins have gathered important insights and knowledge about the current menstrual health condition prevalent in the country and JCI’s ability to drive the workforce and resources will prove to be beneficial in over 500 cities and surrounding villages in India.
This collaboration comes ahead of the prestigious JCI World Congress 2018 which is scheduled to be held between 30th October 2018 and 3rd November 2018 in Goa and will attract over 4000 delegates from all over the world. Through this platform, Niine Sanitary Napkins aims to transcend the dialogue of menstrual hygiene globally with special focus on countries facing poor menstrual health awareness similar to India. The 5 day congress will discuss the importance of cultivating a world where menstrual hygiene is treated with utmost importance amongst subjects like ‘Effective communication’, ‘Leadership’ and ‘Partnering for Impact.’
Niine Sanitary Napkins aims to bridge the gap between 18% women and girls in India using sanitary napkins and the 82% who often revert to unhygienic and unsafe alternatives such as old cloths, rags, hay and even hash. These unhygienic methods are hazardous to health and are an outcome of the taboo around menstrual hygiene, the fundamental lack of education or discussion around the subject, and poverty.
The brand strives to achieve this through the Niine Movement, an ambitious five-year plan aimed at raising awareness of the importance of menstrual hygiene and the urgent need to tackle the taboos associated with menstruation, amongst all genders and age groups.
Speaking about this collaboration, Mr. Amar Tulsiyan, founder of Niine Sanitary Napkins, said, “We are working towards helping the JCI awareness drive with free and subsidised distribution of Niine sanitary pads to reach as many women as we can and cultivate a world where periods are not considered a taboo and sanitary pads are a necessity more than a luxury.”
Junior Chamber International (JCI) is a non-profit organisation of young people aged 18 to 40. JCI operates across 124 countries and encourages and motivates the youth to be active responsible citizens and bring about a change in the society.
JCI Sen Arpit Hathi added, “We have worked with the Indian youth in developing their leadership skills for over 60 years, but it is an honour to be associated with the noble cause of advocating Menstrual Health Awareness, with support from Niine Sanitary Napkins.