Bihar Plans India's First 'Menstrual Health Policy' for Female Athletes on World Menstrual Hygiene Day
On the occasion of 'World Menstrual Hygiene Day', an awareness seminar was organized in the indoor hall of Patliputra Sports Complex today, with the aim of making female players aware of the problems caused by menstruation during sports and its solutions.
Organized by Bihar Olympic Association and Bleeding Blues NGO in collaboration with Bihar State Sports Authority, Patna, this seminar was attended by Mrs. R. Mallar Viji, Director of Bihar Police Academy, Dr. Divya Singh Arjun Award Winner (Basketball), Mrs. Neha Singh Founder, Bleeding Blues, Dr. Ritu Raj Gynecologist, Dr. Priya Psychological Counselor as experts and key speakers.
In her address, Mrs. Viji explained to the players that players have to deal with both mental and physical problems due to the problem of menstruation during sports, in such a situation, along with being mentally and physically healthy, support and encouragement from their family, trainer and fellow players is also very important so that they can focus on their performance. Women members of the family should also discuss about it and make girls aware of it.
Bleeding Blues founder Mrs. Singh said that there should be a discussion about menstruation and the problems and solutions arising from it, girls should be told about it and male colleagues and trainers should also be aware of it so that they can understand the situation and provide appropriate support. It is a natural process, not a physical disease or social evil that it should be kept hidden or not discussed. Only by making girls and women aware through discussion, one can get rid of the physical and mental problems caused by it.
During the program, Simply Sports Foundation's program head Aditi Mutatkar and Cranberry's co-founder Aditi Dimri gave their information in this context through online medium.
In the seminar, Bihar State Sports Authority Director General cum Chief Executive Officer Mr. Ravindra Shankar said that Bihar Olympic Association, in collaboration with the government, has taken a historic initiative to organize this program. In today's time, it is very important for women players to be aware and make others aware about the problems related to menstruation and its solutions.
He further said that for proper care of the health, nutrition and diseases of women players and trainers, the government will build 'Hybrid Female Athlete Wellness Center' in Rajgir and Patna in collaboration with Bihar Olympic Association. Along with this, there is also a plan to bring 'Bihar Menstrual Health Policy' for women players and trainers, which is probably being brought by Bihar for the first time in the country. On the request of Bihar Olympic Association, an office is also being arranged for the association in Patliputra Sports Complex so that they can conduct their sports related work smoothly.
In this seminar, many women players shared their experiences based on the problems arising from this and also mentioned the positive effects of awareness. Experts also shared many useful suggestions with the players to stay physically and mentally healthy during menstruation.
Director General cum Chief Executive Officer of Bihar State Sports Authority Mr. Ravindran Shankar, President of Bihar Olympic Association Mr. Ajay Kumar, Honorary Secretary Mr. Pradeep Kumar, President of Rugby India Mr. Rahul Bose and a large number of women players were also present in this seminar.
