News & Announcement
Sulabh, Alkem Foundation Enhance Menstrual Hygiene Facilities at School
Pakyong, May 27 (IPR): In a step towards promoting inclusive education and menstrual hygiene management, the Sulabh Sanitation Club, with support from the Alkem Foundation under the Aagaz 3.0 Project, refurbished the girls’ toilet at PM Shri Government Senior Secondary School, Rhenock, into a dedicated girls’ changing room.
The programme was held in the presence of Mrs Prabha Pradhan, Zilla Upadhyaksha, Pakyong, as the Chief Guest, along with Mr Suren Pradhan, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Rongli, school authorities, students, and representatives from Sulabh International and Alkem Foundation.
The initiative aims to improve school sanitation facilities for adolescent girls, recognizing the crucial role that safe, hygienic, and gender-sensitive sanitation plays in ensuring regular school attendance and reducing dropout rates among female students, particularly during menstruation.
Underlining the importance of safe sanitation in achieving gender parity in education, Mrs. Prava Pradhan, Zilla Upadhyaksha, Pakyong, stressed that stronger collaboration between the education and sanitation sectors, along with durable and gender-sensitive Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities, would help Sikkim move closer to achieving Goal 6 of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Addressing the gathering, Mrs Samikshya Das Mohapatra of Sulabh International highlighted the positive impact of improved Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities in schools across Sikkim. She stated that the distribution of menstrual cups among schoolgirls would contribute significantly towards menstrual hygiene sustainability.
“Improving WASH facilities has created clearly noticeable and positive changes for girls in the state of Sikkim. The distribution of menstrual cups to girls will be a win-win situation in achieving menstrual product sustainability,” she said.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Suren Pradhan, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Rongli, emphasised the importance of creating safe spaces for girls in schools. “With the additional changing room, more girls will feel confident, knowing they have a safe and private space to change during their periods whenever needed. This will help girls remain in school and actively participate in lessons,” he remarked.
Mr Paul Lepcha, Principal of PM Shri Government Senior Secondary School, Rhenock, expressed gratitude to the Sulabh Sanitation Club for establishing the Health and Wellness Hub in the school, observing that it would greatly benefit students.
Further, Mr Samir Kumar of Alkem Foundation reiterated the company’s commitment towards improving sanitation and hygiene standards in schools across Sikkim through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
The programme also marked the observance of International Menstrual Hygiene Day, with Sulabh and the Alkem Foundation reaffirming their commitment to creating school environments where every girl feels safe, respected, and empowered to continue her education with dignity.
The programme was held in the presence of Mrs Prabha Pradhan, Zilla Upadhyaksha, Pakyong, as the Chief Guest, along with Mr Suren Pradhan, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Rongli, school authorities, students, and representatives from Sulabh International and Alkem Foundation.
The initiative aims to improve school sanitation facilities for adolescent girls, recognizing the crucial role that safe, hygienic, and gender-sensitive sanitation plays in ensuring regular school attendance and reducing dropout rates among female students, particularly during menstruation.
Underlining the importance of safe sanitation in achieving gender parity in education, Mrs. Prava Pradhan, Zilla Upadhyaksha, Pakyong, stressed that stronger collaboration between the education and sanitation sectors, along with durable and gender-sensitive Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities, would help Sikkim move closer to achieving Goal 6 of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Addressing the gathering, Mrs Samikshya Das Mohapatra of Sulabh International highlighted the positive impact of improved Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities in schools across Sikkim. She stated that the distribution of menstrual cups among schoolgirls would contribute significantly towards menstrual hygiene sustainability.
“Improving WASH facilities has created clearly noticeable and positive changes for girls in the state of Sikkim. The distribution of menstrual cups to girls will be a win-win situation in achieving menstrual product sustainability,” she said.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Suren Pradhan, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Rongli, emphasised the importance of creating safe spaces for girls in schools. “With the additional changing room, more girls will feel confident, knowing they have a safe and private space to change during their periods whenever needed. This will help girls remain in school and actively participate in lessons,” he remarked.
Mr Paul Lepcha, Principal of PM Shri Government Senior Secondary School, Rhenock, expressed gratitude to the Sulabh Sanitation Club for establishing the Health and Wellness Hub in the school, observing that it would greatly benefit students.
Further, Mr Samir Kumar of Alkem Foundation reiterated the company’s commitment towards improving sanitation and hygiene standards in schools across Sikkim through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
The programme also marked the observance of International Menstrual Hygiene Day, with Sulabh and the Alkem Foundation reaffirming their commitment to creating school environments where every girl feels safe, respected, and empowered to continue her education with dignity.
