THIS ARTICLE IS POWERED BY
-Khwaish Jain | IMAWS
Technology is instrumental in enhancing menstrual health and education worldwide. Digital platforms offer accessible information, breaking taboos and fostering awareness. Period-tracking apps empower individuals to understand their cycles better, promoting overall health. Online resources and educational content help disseminate crucial information about hygiene, reusable products, and sustainable options, reaching a wide audience. Moreover, technology facilitates the creation of interactive modules for comprehensive menstrual education, benefitting both girls and boys. By providing a platform for open discussions, technology breaks down societal barriers, contributing to a more inclusive and informed society. Leveraging digital tools to share experiences, tutorials, and testimonials creates a collective dialogue, encouraging positive practices and improving menstrual health and education for people globally. Hari Chandana Dasari, IAS- Government of India, Telangana has made multiple efforts to use advanced technologies in some of the topics that are considered to be ‘taboo’ among the conservative Indian household.
Hari Chandana IAS speaks on how technology can help women during their menstruation
Khwaish: Can you provide information about the “She Toilets – Mobile Toilet for Women” initiative and elaborate on how it addresses the needs of women, particularly during their menstrual period?
Hari Chandana: The inspiration behind launching She Toilets stemmed from a firsthand experience in a rural area where the absence of women-specific or even public toilets was evident. Existing facilities, primarily available during weekly markets, were unhygienic and posed significant risks for women. Witnessing this challenge prompted us to address the issue by providing accessible and sanitary toilets.
The initial obstacle was the infrequency of the market, making toilet maintenance a persistent challenge. This led to the innovative concept of mobile toilets, designed to reach different villages at various times. The exclusive women’s toilets not only ensure security but are also managed by women themselves. Remarkably, the service is provided free of charge, contributing to its success.
These mobile toilets extend their services to fairs and temples during festivals, acknowledging the heightened demand during these times when common facilities tend to be unsuitable for use. To further support women, especially during menstruation, the toilets are equipped with dispensers and incinerators.
Crucially, these bio toilets operate independently, with a biodigester converting waste into manure. Powered by solar energy, the facility embraces sustainability. Having operated successfully for four years, She Toilets continue to make a meaningful impact on the lives of women in various communities.
Khwaish: How can technology improve comfort and convenience for women during their menstrual period?
Hari Chandana: In India, particularly in rural areas, there is a notable information gap that contributes to the prevalence of taboos, creating challenges for women’s well-being. Taboos linked to specific regions, such as restrictions on entering certain areas or kitchens during menstruation, and societal stigma attached to clothing stains, contribute to feelings of insecurity among women.
Additionally, inadequate sanitation facilities for menstruating women and the lack of proper education often results in school absenteeism for adolescent girls during their menstrual days.
To address these issues, leveraging technology becomes a crucial and empowering solution. Rural communities can benefit immensely from the dissemination of accurate information through digital platforms. Taboos deeply ingrained in local cultures can be dismantled by providing accessible and culturally sensitive education via technology.
Peer and elder support plays pivotal roles in changing societal mindsets. Technology can facilitate the conveyance of accurate information, fostering understanding and support from within the community. The growing digital penetration in rural areas provides a unique opportunity to bridge the information gap and challenge long-standing misconceptions.
Ensuring access to safe hygiene products is paramount. Many women in rural areas still use improperly washed cloth, unaware of the associated health risks, including cervical issues. Technology can be a powerful tool in educating women about proper hygiene practices and promoting the use of safe and hygienic products.
In essence, education remains the cornerstone of addressing these challenges, and technology emerges as a transformative force to dispel myths, empower women, and foster positive societal change in rural India.
Khwaish: In what ways can tech track and analyze menstrual cycles for reproductive health insights?
Hari Chandana: In India, many women grapple with various menstrual health issues, ranging from cervical problems to PCOD/PCOS, often unable to discuss them openly. The country faces a high incidence of cervical cancer, underscoring the urgency of addressing these health concerns. A significant contributing factor is the lack of comprehensive knowledge about menstrual hygiene, hormonal health, and menstrual cycles. Numerous women in India experience irregular periods, further highlighting the need for informed menstrual health practices.
Technology, particularly period-tracking apps, emerges as a valuable tool in empowering women to understand and manage their menstrual health better. Through a pilot campaign in collaboration with UNICEF, known as the Red Dot campaign, we sought to identify women facing challenges in menstruating on time and explored potential underlying health issues. This initiative aimed to shed light on the prevalence of menstrual health issues and advocate for improved awareness and access to healthcare.
Introducing period-tracking apps to young school-going girls is a crucial step in fostering early education about menstrual health. Such apps not only help in tracking menstrual cycles but also contribute to a broader understanding of hormonal health, encouraging young girls to become proactive about their well-being.
Khwaish: How might technology enlighten conversations around menstruation and promote inclusivity?
Hari Chandana: Technology plays a pivotal role in bridging gaps, particularly in breaking down societal taboos surrounding menstruation. It’s crucial to emphasize that menstruation is not a taboo, and it’s entirely normal for boys to be informed and supportive. Educating boys about menstruation is essential to create a more understanding and empathetic environment, reducing emotional stress for girls and women.
Menstruating women often experience heightened sensitivity and emotional fluctuations, making it beneficial for men to comprehend these natural changes. Education should not solely focus on girls; it is equally important to educate boys and men to foster a more inclusive and supportive community. Unfortunately, the current focus tends to be on over-educating girls while overlooking the need to educate boys.
Here, technology emerges as a powerful tool for disseminating this crucial knowledge. Educational videos, skits performed in schools, and interactive gaming apps can effectively engage students. Leveraging audio-visual content not only makes the learning process more enjoyable but also increases retention. By making education about menstruation fun and interesting through technology, we can create a more informed and empathetic society, promoting equality and understanding between genders.
Khwaish: Can tech contribute to eco-friendly menstrual products, addressing environmental concerns?
Hari Chandana: Promoting sustainable menstrual hygiene products, such as bamboo pads and reusable cotton pads, is essential for both comfort and environmental responsibility. Educating women about these alternatives is crucial, emphasizing their antimicrobial properties to ensure user safety. While there’s a growing shift towards these products, it’s imperative to discourage the use of bleached materials found in regular pads due to potential health concerns.
Popularizing sustainable options like menstrual cups, bamboo pads, reusable underwear pads, and cotton pads is a positive trend, but affordability remains a challenge for some. The menstrual cup, however, has successfully addressed this concern by offering a more budget-friendly alternative.
Ultimately, education plays a pivotal role in fostering widespread adoption of sustainable menstrual hygiene practices. Encouraging women to share their experiences with these products is vital, and technology can greatly facilitate this. Utilizing digital platforms for sharing testimonials, providing usage tutorials, and spreading awareness about the benefits of sustainable options ensures a more informed and empowered community. By leveraging technology, we can overcome barriers to access and make sustainable menstrual hygiene products more accessible and widely accepted.
Khwaish: How can each officer harness the power of technology to make advancements within their respective sectors?
Hari Chandana: The influence of technology is pervasive across the globe, impacting various facets of our lives. In our office, the adoption of e-office practices and the transition to a paperless system have significantly streamlined processes, reducing red tape and bureaucratic hurdles. This transformation has not only enhanced efficiency but also accelerated citizen service delivery.
Many states now offer online services, eliminating the need for the public to physically visit government offices, reducing wait times and enhancing overall convenience. The digitization of land records stands as another noteworthy technological advancement. Accessible from anywhere, it not only provides convenience but also contributes to crime reduction. Technology is also a crucial tool in combating cybercrimes and fraud, playing a pivotal role in safeguarding digital spaces.
Across sectors, technology has become an indispensable force, and forward-thinking officers are quick to leverage innovative solutions. Finding the right technological tools to address specific challenges is key, and officers must be adaptive to technological advancements. Those who embrace and adopt technology swiftly are positioned as leaders in fostering positive changes and improving overall governance.