Service Overview

SURKHi

My red friend As the outcome of the research conducted during this project, the author proposed the hypothetical service called Surkhi-My Red Friend.

WHAT

Surkhiis a proposed training programme for Accredited Social Healthcare Activists (ASHA) designed to impart knowledge about menstrual health management to women living in slums.

HOW

Through the programme ASHA workers will be trained to conduct fortnightly workshops to teach women about menstrual health through experiential tools. Afer the education stage, women are encouraged to track their periods on the Period Tracker Calendar designed by Surkhi. These women speak to the ASHA workers during the workshop in case they notice something unusual with their bodies. The ASHA workers further guide them to seek help from the Primary Healthcare Clinics (PHC) that are located in every slum.

WHO

For:The training programme offered by Surkhi is currently targeting married women in the age group of 20-35.

Led by: The service will be led by ASHA workers and the staff at Surkhi

Supported by:This programme is a collaboration between Tata Trusts(1919) and NUHM National Urban Health Mission)(2013) Telangana, India.

WHY

Menstrual health can only be promoted if more women start advocating for it. Since ASHA workers already reach out to expectant mothers and provide care, it’ll be easier for them to include menstrual health in the conversation as menstrual health and reproductive health are interconnected. Moreover, ASHA workers are already in close contact with women in the slums making it easier for them to reach out to women. This service will help women be more aware of their bodies and empower them to communicate about menstruation with those around them.

Hi! I am Gulabo.

I am a 29 year old domestic worker from Hyderabad, India. This is an account of one of the most distressing times in my life. At the crack of dawn, I am awakened by the bird songs and other sounds of activity as our little slum comes to life. I switch off my alarm clock, before its shrill sound disturbs my snoring husband and I drag myself up to face another monotonous day. I was an 18 year old, timid bride when I moved to this city slum, from the village, soon afer my wedding. Now, a decade later, my little world consists of my husband, a sweet 10 year old daughter and an over energetic seven year old son. Afer the demise of my father-in-law, my mother-in-law too stays with us. We live in a small one bedroom flat with a tiny living room and kitchen. Families living nearby form my small social circle. Occasionally, I visit my parents in the village for short trips. The day starts with me shuffling between cooking meals for all of us and getting the children up and ready for school. It's a difficult task to make sure they are dressed, fed and reach school on time. However, this is important as they would otherwise play games on my mobile phone and while away their time. I then get on with cleaning and laundry before I get ready to leave for work. That day, I had just finished cooking when my worried daughter called out to me in tears, she hesitantly showed me her bloodstained undergarment in the bathroom. I was shocked and unprepared, but somehow I explained to her that this was a part of growing up and a monthly cycle. I showed her how to use a menstrual pad, making a mental note to buy more in the coming months. Thus doubling my monthly budget for menstrual products. I didn’t know what else I could do to prepare her for this and I didn’t have any words to explain further. According to my friend, her 13 year old daughter had been taught about periods at school but my daughter was still young and I was at a loss as to what I could do to help make her comfortable and ease her pain. Afer dropping my son to school and picking up some more period supplies from the medical store on my way back I had to inform my mother-in-law, the reason for the little one’s despair. She in turn, became frantic and immediately isolated my daughter from the rest of the family. She was given a list of strict instructions- to stay confined in the room and not to enter the kitchen and place of worship. It is said that we are impure during the first four days of our periods. My mother in law then proceeded to call up all her friends and our relatives. Her granddaughter had come of age and everyone had to be informed. All women have to go through this, I did too. But seeing my little girl writhing in pain, and treated like an outcast was miserable and heart-wrenching. I usually suffer from painful periods and heavy bleeding myself but somehow I manage every month. I really wish I could handle the situation with confidence, hold her close and assure her that everything will be fine, but I wasn’t even allowed to do that. Maybe afer 4 days when she would be allowed to leave the house, I shall take her to the Primary Healthcare Clinic or ask the ASHA worker (Accredited Social Health Worker) when she visits next to check my pregnant sister-in-law who lives next door. Taking her to the hospital will be expensive now…. Maybe if we knew about menstrual health related issues, we would have been able to help my sister-in-law who suffered from a severe vaginal infection because she wore her pad for too long.

I sit in my balcony, breathing in the smells of the slum below and wonderingWhat if I was able to help my little girl and others like her to have a better experience? Why can't we be more vocal and not suffer in silence? Maybe education and knowledge about my body would have prepared me to face this event in a calm manner. Thinking about that day always makes me feel so helpless and it breaks my heart to see my daughter go through this. I hope she grows up to change things for her future generations.