Papna Mau (Maal): Shunning the stigma over menstruation, women in the rural Maal area in Lucknow's mango belt have not only embraced sanitary napkins to replace tattered clothes, they have developed indigenous ways to dispose of the used pads.The 'kishori matka' seems to have become a liberator of sorts for the girls, who were facing quite a challenge after the locals started objecting to the 'mess' caused by used sanitary pads.The story of change in this village started about two years ago when social workers apprised them of menstrual hygiene . "Until then, we thought that periods were a curse women were born with... they were meant to be suffering at the hands of menstruation without realizing its importance as a biological process," recalled 24-year old Sheelam Singh.The girls and women were told about the health risks due to lack of menstrual hygiene. To note, various Indian studies suggest a link between poor menstrual hygiene and cervical cancer besides proving its association with urinary and reproductive tract infections.But the usage of sanitary pads followed the challenge of disposing it. Anganwadi worker Sunita Kanaujia shared that "throwing of used sanitary pads" became a cause of dispute between neighbours. The matter was placed on a common platform comprising aggrieved women, village level functionaries and social organisation's field workers. It was realised that stray animals were responsible for tattering the used napkins. "Most women threw their napkins in a polythene but the strays sniffed them causing the mess," said Sarika, a young girl."Though the discussion ended on an inconclusive note, the need to rise above the challenge was strongly felt as the girls didn't want to go back to the pre-sanitary napkin days," said Dr Neelam Singh, founder Vatsalya, social organization which has played the role of change maker in this case.Pat came the solution in the form of a kishori matka — a tailor made earthen pot which was being used to burn used sanitary napkins. "The matka is actually a handmade structure comparable to a traditional angeethi. In this, used sanitary napkins were buried inside a layer of soil and neem leaves and allowed to dry up. In a few days, the material inside is burned and the ash is disposed away without any controversies," said Sunita adding that 35-40 families in the villageIn another village called Masida Hamir, over 87 families have made a mini incinerator for the same purpose. Sunita, who got this unit made near her toilet recently, said, "I have seen sanitary napkin advertisements on TV. Pads and incinerator have actually given me a carefree period."Health experts said that 'kishori matka' indicates that change has made a permanent abode in these villages. "Girls thinking of innovative ways like this means that the good practice is here to stay forever," said Anjani Singh, community health consultant.

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