Creating Awareness, Building Protection: Community Session on Child Rights and Menstrual Health

Awareness and education are powerful tools in addressing social challenges and empowering communities to make informed decisions. With this objective, the Naya Disha Project organised an awareness programme on 25th June 2026 at the Keora Khali ICDS Centre, Hingalganj, North 24 Pgs, focusing on the critical issues of child marriage, human trafficking, and menstrual hygiene.

The programme brought together 51 participants, including 47 women and adolescent girls and 4 men from the local community. The session provided a platform for open discussion and learning, enabling participants to gain a deeper understanding of the risks and consequences associated with child marriage and human trafficking, while also promoting healthy menstrual practices.

Facilitators highlighted the importance of safeguarding children’s rights and ensuring that girls are given opportunities to complete their education and pursue their aspirations without the burden of early marriage. Discussions on human trafficking focused on recognising warning signs, understanding common methods used by traffickers, and strengthening community vigilance to protect vulnerable individuals.

The session also addressed menstrual health and hygiene, encouraging participants to break the silence surrounding menstruation and challenge long-held myths and misconceptions. Practical guidance was shared on maintaining hygiene, accessing menstrual health resources, and creating a supportive environment where girls and women can discuss their concerns without stigma or fear.

Participants actively engaged in the discussions, asking questions, sharing experiences, and reflecting on the importance of collective action in addressing these issues. The interactive nature of the programme helped foster greater awareness and encouraged community members to become advocates for positive change.

Through initiatives such as this, the Naya Disha Project continues to strengthen community knowledge and resilience, empowering individuals to protect children’s rights, promote gender equality, and contribute to the creation of safer, healthier, and more informed communities.

“Informed communities create safer futures for women, girls, and children.”

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