Workshop held in Khulna to implement., promote women’s MHM strategy
Khulna Bureau
A workshop was held on Tuesday at Conference Room of the Khulna Divisional Commissioner’s office to promote awareness and ensure the implementation of the National Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) Strategy for women.
The workshop focused on the implementation of the 2025 action plan, including financial estimation and planning.The Chief Guest of the program was Mohammad Saiful Islam Majumdar, Joint Secretary of the Local Government Division.Speaking at the event, the Chief Guest said that the implementation of the national menstrual hygiene management strategy is a continuous process. He stated that it is not possible for the government alone to ensure everything, and therefore private organizations, development partners, NGOs, and the general public must come forward in a coordinated manner alongside the government.He also mentioned that the government is planning to waive VAT and taxes on the production and import of sanitary napkins. He emphasized that both government and private institutions must take initiatives to ensure separate and proper washroom facilities for women, along with all necessary amenities. Creating awareness among women service recipients in every office regarding menstrual hygiene management was also highlighted as an urgent necessity.During the workshop, several recommendations were discussed, including increasing awareness through publicity campaigns, establishing separate “change rooms” for girls in all schools, reducing or eliminating VAT and taxes on sanitary napkin production, import, and supply, and distributing sanitary napkins at low cost.
The workshop was chaired by Acting Divisional Commissioner Mohammad Nazmul Haque. Among others, Additional Divisional Commissioner (Revenue) Sifat Mehnaz, District Commissioner Hure Jannat, and UNICEF Khulna Chief Md.Kawsar Hossain spoke at the event.An expert, Md.Moniruzzaman, presented a keynote paper on the menstrual hygiene management strategy. The program was conducted by Sui Men Jo, Deputy Secretary of the Local Government Division.The workshop was organized by the Local Government Division with the support of UNICEF. Officials from government and private organizations, along with NGO representatives, participated in the workshop.
