District Social Welfare Department, through the Sankalp Hub for Empowerment of Women on Monday organised an awareness camp at Sub District Hospital Bhaderwah to mark 10 years of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP).
The camp was held under the direction of District Social Welfare Officer (DSWO) Tariq Qazi and attended by Block Medical Officer (BMO Dr. Ashraf Kuchey and the staff of the Sankalp Hub for Empowerment of Women, Mission Shakti and ASHA workers.
As part of the BBBP initiative, baby kits were distributed among mothers of newborn girls to support their well-being and encourage the message of girl child empowerment. Additionally, sanitary napkins were distributed among postnatal mothers to emphasize the importance of menstrual hygiene in preventing infections and ensuring reproductive health.
Gender Specialist, District Hub for Empowerment of Women Dr. Sanya Khan presented an overview of the Sambal and Samarthya components under Mission Shakti. She explained the schemes and programs aimed at women’s empowerment, including Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), State Marriage Assistance Scheme (SMAS), Tejaswini, and various pension schemes under the Social Welfare Department. She also elaborated on the objectives of BBBP, its target beneficiaries, and the achievements in areas such as education, sports, and skill development.
Dr. Sanya also highlighted the services provided by the Women Helpline (181) and the Sakhi One Stop Centre, focusing on addressing Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and offering assistance to women in distress.
Dr. Ashraf Kuchey emphasized the critical importance of menstrual hygiene, particularly for women from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. He discussed the health risks associated with poor menstrual hygiene, including reproductive and urinary tract infections, and stressed the need for improved awareness and access to sanitation facilities and sanitary products.
The event also addressed social taboos and myths surrounding menstruation, which often hinder the growth and education of young girls. Participants were encouraged to adopt simple and effective menstrual hygiene practices, and a collective call was made to break societal stigmas surrounding this natural physiological process.
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