Ferrargunj, July 11: As part of the Menstrual Campaign 2025-26, the Youth Ambassadorsof the Andaman Nicobar Environment Team (ANET)/Dakshin Foundation conducted a Training of Trainers (ToT) session at the Community Managed Training Centre (CMTC), Ferrargunj. This important initiative was organized by the Block Development Officer (BDO), Ferrargunj, Smt. Lalita Tigga, and witnessed active participation from over 100 women, including Community Resource Persons (CRPs), ASHA workers, and Anganwadi workers. The 1.5-hour long training session engaged participants through awareness videos, informative presentations, interactive activities and discussions aimed at enhancing awareness.
Launched on International Menstrual Hygiene Day (28 May 2025), the Menstrual Campaign 2025-26 is a year-long initiative by the Youth Ambassadors at ANET. It focuses on three key objectives: improving menstrual health and hygiene, debunking deeply rooted myths around menstruation in our societies, and promoting sustainable menstrual products. In addition to a parallel online campaign, the Youth Ambassadors are committed to on-ground outreach through awareness sessions at the Panchayat and Block levels, targeting various groups such as SHGs, CRPs, health and childcare workers, school students and teachers among others across the Andaman Islands.
In the context of the Andaman Islands, these three issues hold particular significance. Many communities continue to face taboos and misinformation around menstruation, leading to shame, silence, and unhygienic practices. Limited access to menstrual health education and sustainable options further aggravates the problem. The campaign therefore emphasizes the need for eco-friendly menstrual products like cloth pads, period panties and menstrual cups, which not only reduce the environmental burden caused by disposable sanitary waste—a growing concern for island ecosystems—but also offer cost-effective and safe alternatives for women and girls. Given the islands’ fragile ecological systems and limited waste management infrastructure, reducing non-biodegradable sanitary waste is a critical step toward environmental protection and public health.
The Ferrargunj ToT marks an important milestone in the campaign’s outreach efforts. The Youth Ambassadors, in collaboration with the local administration, panchayat representatives and community workers, aim to continue building an informed and empowered network of trainers across the islands. By fostering inclusive conversations around menstruation and encouraging the use of sustainable products, the campaign envisions a healthier, cleaner, and more equitable future for women and girls in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.