The Punjab government launched a new Menstrual Hygiene Curriculum on May 28 , Menstrual Hygiene Day. The initiative will educate over 3.4 lakh girls in government schools across the state. The program targets students in Classes 6 through 10.
Curriculum Details
The curriculum is now active in 3,600 government high and senior secondary schools. These schools are located in all 23 districts of Punjab. The program was developed with WAST United, an international non-profit organization. It uses a story-based approach to teach students. A character named Ruby guides girls through puberty. The lessons are delivered in Punjabi to ensure accessibility. Approximately 7,200 teachers received special training to implement the curriculum.
Program Goals
The curriculum aims to address myths and social issues surrounding menstruation. These issues often cause girls to miss school. Accurate biological information is provided. This helps prevent health complications from poor hygiene. The program also focuses on building student self-esteem. It seeks to reduce hesitation girls feel about attending school during their periods. This initiative supports educational equality by removing barriers to learning.
Key Statistics
| Metric | Number |
| Benefiting Schoolgirls | 3,40,000+ |
| Target Classes | 6-10 |
| Participating Schools | 3,600+ |
| Trained Teachers | 7,200+ |
| Districts Covered | 23 |
