The Week That Was: Indian Women Empowerment News Overview (23 - 28 May)

By: WE Staff | Saturday, 28 May 2022

The Week That Was: Indian Women Empowerment News Overview (23 - 28 May)

Every year on May 28, Menstrual Hygiene Day (MH Day) is marked around the world, coinciding with the International Day of Action for Women's Health 2022. The day emphasises the importance of menstrual hygiene and raises awareness of the socioeconomic challenges that women experience during their periods and those who lack access to sanitary goods.

The goal of World Menstrual Hygiene Day is to bring together the voices and actions of non-profits, government agencies, individuals, and the media to promote good menstrual health and hygiene for everyone. The goal of the day is to break the silence surrounding menstrual health and hygiene, raise awareness, and change negative social norms. The event will provide a chance to engage decision-makers and raise the political priority of menstrual health and hygiene at the global, national, and local levels.

Along with Menstrual Hygiene Day, there have been various events in the last week related to women's empowerment. The Women Entrepreneur India website keeps you up to date on such activities every day. Take a peek at what's happened recently.

WHO Honors One Million Indian ASHA Volunteers

The World Health Organization recognised India's one million all-women ASHA volunteers for their critical role in providing direct access to healthcare facilities in rural areas and their unwavering efforts to combat the country's coronavirus outbreak.

ASHA volunteers (Accredited Social Health Activists) are Indian government-affiliated health workers who serve as the initial point of contact in rural India.

During the peak of the pandemic in India, the majority of them made headlines for conducting door-to-door checks to track down coronavirus patients.

NISD Presents 'Appreciation Awards-2022' to Women who Excel in their Respective Disciplines

The National Institute for Skill Development (NISD) presented 'Appreciation Awards-2022' to women who have made significant contributions to their disciplines.

NISD provides women with training in a variety of sectors in order to help them become self-employed and gain the required skills to become entrepreneurs.

Mrs Universal India-2022 Season-7 Isha Sharma was the special guest at the event.

Sanjeev Kumar, the NISD Centre Director, said that they are training women in various trades to help them stand on their own feet and participate in training programs.

Karnataka Government Orders a 33 Percent Reservation for Women in Outsourced Jobs

In all of its departments and subsidiary organisations, institutions, universities, and autonomous bodies, the Karnataka government has ordered a 33% reservation for women among outsourced employees.

In a circular dated May 19, Chief Secretary P Ravi Kumar stated that the state government had accepted outsourcing for data entry operators, housekeeping, drivers, and Group D personnel.

In addition, for women's empowerment, social justice, and equal job opportunities, the government has set aside 30% of civil service jobs for women.

Amway India Expands the Scope of its Nari Shakti Project to Help Underprivileged Women

Amway India recently strengthened its Project Nari Shakti with a focus on livelihood in Kolkata as part of its social development efforts.

According to a media statement issued here on Tuesday, the project is an extension of Amway's Nari Shakti Livelihood Enhancement programme, which focuses on motivating, teaching, and equipping poor women with a favourable ecology to assist them pursue their aspirations.

The initiative's goal in the region is to encourage poor women to become entrepreneurs by providing them with the necessary skills and long-term employment opportunities.

Capt. Abhilasha Barak Becomes Army Aviation Corps' 1st Female Combat Pilot

Captain Abhilasha Barak became the country's first female officer to enter the Army Aviation Corps as a Combat Aviator.

The Indian Army announced the milestone on Twitter, calling it a "Golden Letter Day" in the history of Indian Army Aviation.

Captain Abhilasha Barak was also "awarded the Coveted Wings along with 36 Army Pilots by Director General and Colonel Commandant Army Aviation," according to the Indian Army's Additional Directorate General of Public Information.

"Young aviators are now ready to spread their wings in Combat Aviation Squadrons," ADG-PTI stated in a statement following the award ceremony.

Medi Assist launches Medi Akanksha, Programme to Assist Women in Resuming their Employment

Medi Akanksha, a programme aimed to assist women who have taken a professional sabbatical for a variety of reasons, was recently launched by Medi Assist. The Medi Akanksha initiative attempts to eliminate the stigma and prejudice associated with women who take a professional hiatus by encouraging them to pursue a second job.

The organisation was just recognised as the "Best Organization for Women 2022" by a major industry award. Medi Assist is working to make the workplace more gender-balanced by providing equal opportunity to both men and women. The company now has a 42 percent female workforce, with the intention of increasing this over the following few quarters.

Medi Akanksha's goal is to tap into the enormous potential and competence of women professionals who have left the workforce for a variety of reasons.

Lovlina Borgohain Becomes Chair of IBA's Athletes Committee

Olympic bronze medalist Lovlina Borgohain has been chosen chair and voting member of the International Boxing Association's Athletes' Committee Board of Directors.

Borgohain won the most votes in the election held during the 2022 Women's World Championships.

Borgohain said, “I feel honoured to have been elected as the chair of IBA’s Athlete’s Committee, I expected to become a member, but never thought that I will also become the chair of the committee, this will help me promote Indian boxing and especially women boxing to other boxers of the world.”

Menstrual Hygiene Day: Women's Top Menstrual Hygiene Concerns, According to Survey

Disturbed sleep, menstrual cramps, and dirty public restrooms are the top menstrual hygiene issues for women during their periods, according to a poll. More over half of the women polled (53.2%) stated they don't get enough sleep the first two days of their periods. According to the report, 67.5 percent of women are still concerned about spotting while sleeping.

According to the survey, 57.3 percent of women had moderate to severe period cramps, while 37.2 percent had minor or infrequent menstrual pain.

Sixty-two percent of women said they have never or only seldom changed a sanitary pad in a public area like an office, mall, or movie theatre.