Support the Noble initiative by the superhero "PADMAN" towards Laadli – A girl child campaign of Population First organization by bidding online..!!
Relevant merchandise from movies need to be used for good cause - R. Balki at Panel Discussion on Menstrual Hygiene Witham Laadli
Mumbai, 8th Feb 2018: "Talking about something is very important. Talking about taboos is even more important. With gender sensitivity, laadli media awards etc, Laadli has been on a forefront of opening a dialogue. Mainstream cinema has evolved and we are happy that the PADMAN team has donated the cycle used for the cause of Menstrual Hygiene addressed by Laadli", shared Dr. A L Sharada, Director, Population First at an event held today at World Trade Centre in Mumbai for announcing the auction of the PADMAN Cycle on Bidkartz. The auction is LIVE till 20th February. The event was graced by Renowned Filmmaker and Director of PADMAN movie, R. Balki along with several other dignitaries. Around 25 adolescent girls from Shahapur village of Thane shared their hidden stories through a dialogue after a statistical data on menstrual hygiene issues were shared at the event.
"Relevant merchandise from movies need to be used for good cause. I am happy that we could lend the cycle for cause of Laadli. The film through all such awareness campaigns has stuck the right chord and Menstruation, Menstrual Hygiene, Sanitary Pad is no more a taboo subject", shared Director R Balki along with Laadli Team and Team of Bidkartz at the announcement.
“It is shocking to note that only 12% of women use sanitary pads in our country. Poor menstrual hygiene is responsible for heavy avoidable disease burden among women. The social norms and taboos surrounding menstruation make it a monthly painful and humiliating experience for many women. There is a need to change the social norms and challenge the taboos. The efforts of many campaigns like Laadli will receive a great boost when a people's hero like Mr. Akshay Kumar, through a mainstream film, addresses the issue. It also strengthens our advocacy initiatives with the government to improve women's access to menstrual hygiene products”, shared Dr. A.L. Sharada, Director, Population First at the onset of the release of the highly anticipated issue-based movie PADMAN, starring Bollywood Superstar Akshay Kumar.
The panel discussion took place on 8th Feb 2018 at World Trade Centre, Mumbai which was attended by R. Balki, Indian Filmmaker, Dr. Rishma Dhillon Pai, Ex-President of FOGSI, Ms. Dolly Thakore, Veteran Indian theatre Actress, Social Activist and National Coordinator for Laadli Media Awards, Anuja Gulati, State Program Officer, UNFPA, Shoheb Ali, Director- Marketing, Bidkartz.com, A L Sharada, Director of Population First and Ms. Rupa Naik, Senior Director, MVIRDC World Trade Centre Mumbai. The panel discussed about the Menstrual Hygiene and Sexual and Reproductive Health in the presence of the women from the distant village of Shahapur. Filmmaker R. Balki announced the auction PADMAN Cycle and the proceedings will go straight for the noble cause of Laadli.
"I got my periods when I was in 7th Std. I was told not to touch pickles, papad, god idol, which I had been following, but after the programmes conducted by Population First in our village, I made changes in my mindset and now even my family is very vocal and has started becoming open about the otherwise taboo subject", shared, Swapnali, a Kabaddi Player residing in Shahapur Village. She also shared her memories on how she shifted to sanitary napkin from a cloth. She also voiced her concerns on the higher costs of the sanitary pads. Population First has been also helping the adolescent girls for making their own pad with the help of cotton.
Lead actor Akshay Kumar in tweet extended his support for Laadli - A girl child Campaign of Population First Organization and announced the auction of the most talked about Bicycle from PADMAN Movie. The Bicycle is auctioned live atwww.bidkartz.com. The Superstar also made an appeal on his social media handle.
About Laadli Initiative: Many women in India especially in the rural areas - have very limited knowledge about maintaining their Sexual and Reproductive Health. Issues such as accessing contraception or maintaining menstrual hygiene are not openly discussed and are indeed considered taboo subjects. Keeping this in mind, Population First – a nonprofit working concertedly to improve the condition of women in the country – instituted a comprehensive program on Adolescent Reproductive & Sexual Health (ARSH). This project is spread over 102 villages at Shahapur block in Thane District, Maharashtra. Within this program adolescent girls and boys are trained on issues related to reproductive and sexual health so that they can make informed choices and take care of their overall health. The topics covered include knowledge about contraception, unwanted pregnancy, abortion and menstrual health. A major thrust of the program is on increasing awareness about menstrual hygiene, including busting the many myths and malpractices that are prevalent in the country around the issue. It is highlighted how engaging in unhygienic menstrual practices can have long lasting health effects for girls and women. Additionally, as part of the training, the youth who are empowered with such knowledge also come to the forefront to share it with other community members and older women. They conceptualize and organize awareness building activities for the larger community. In this manner, by reaching out to over 2,200 adolescent boys and girls through the ARSH program so far, Population First has been able to reach out to a very wide circle within the rural community, regarding menstrual hygiene and other matters pertaining to effective sexual and reproductive health.