THF Signs Key MoUs To Improve Menstrual Health & Hygiene In Rural Jharkhand

The Hans Foundation (THF) announced the signing of three significant Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) at the National Conference on Menstrual Health and Hygiene, held at the District Sadar Hospital in Ranchi. 

In a press statement on Monday, the organisation said,  these partnerships with Menstrupedia, MVM Nutritional Products, and the District Health Society of Ranchi mark a pivotal step in THF's mission to enhance menstrual health and hygiene across India.

The MoU with the District Health Society in Ranchi aims to revamp the Primary Health Centre in Usha Matu, Ratu block, over five years. The initiative includes upgrading facilities, increasing staff, and enhancing medical resources to ensure accessible, high-quality healthcare. While the District Health Society will handle registrations and operational support, THF will oversee recruitment and daily activities.

In collaboration with Menstrupedia, THF plans to create educational materials on menstrual health for young girls and women, including the Mini Menstrupedia comic books, to educate and empower while tackling stigma. In rural Jharkhand, 10,000 teenage girls are  to be educated on optimal menstrual health, hygiene, and nutrition through the Hans Community Wellness Program.

Shweta Rawat, Chairperson & Founder of THF, emphasised the strategic importance of these MoUs: "By working together with partners who share our values, we hope to improve the lives of women and girls not only in Jharkhand but also beyond. This collaborative effort aims to foster sustainable, long-term behavioural changes, transforming these girls into community change agents.”

The conference saw the presence of several notable figures, including  Akai Minz, SPC, NHM-Jharkhand;  Saurav Tiwari, Program Director, Piramal Foundation; Sita Pushpa, District Social & Welfare Officer, Lohardaga; and Anup Hore, State Lead - Plan India. Neha Singh, SBCC Consultant at UNICEF, highlighted the importance of focusing on menstrual health and hygiene for gender equality and women's empowerment.

India faces significant challenges in adolescent health, particularly regarding menstruation, nutrition, and hygiene. According to NFHS-5, only 57.6  per cent of women aged 15-24 use sanitary menstrual protection, and 40 per cent of girls aged 10-19 are anaemic. In Jharkhand, these issues are exacerbated by low education levels, inadequate healthcare, and poverty, with only 49.6 per cent of women using hygienic menstrual protection and 65.2  per cent of women aged 15-49 being anaemic.

The National Conference on Menstrual Health and Hygiene attracted approximately 300 participants, including policymakers, development partners, and subject experts. Presentations from 10 experts and personal stories from two adolescent girls highlighted the challenges and solutions in menstrual health and hygiene.

THF currently operates 72 Mobile Medical Units (MMUs) and one Community Healthcare Center in Jharkhand, with plans to expand to 80 MMUs and establish five dialysis centres. Additionally, the foundation is launching a Girls' Education project in seven schools and a Livelihood Project focused on sustainable growth.