The Service

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. Surkhi is a blend of two words- Surkh meaning red in Urdu and Sakhi meaning female friend in Hindi. Literally making up Surkhi-My red friend. The idea behind it is that the service acts as a friend who is always there to support women for all their menstrual needs.

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.