In the lush green highlands of Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka, Anjalika Kumari, is on a mission to transform the lives of adolescent girls and women in the estate sector. A psychological counsellor by profession, she volunteers in the estate sector, dedicating her days to educate adolescent girls about menstrual hygiene and sexual and reproductive health, to build a more informed and healthy community.
"Prevention is better than cure. It's essential to teach teenagers about their bodies and menstruation early on. They love to learn, and it's gratifying to provide them with knowledge about menstruation that can positively change their mindsets."
“I wasn’t initially working in the counselling field,” Anjalika recalls, adding that, “Now, I truly enjoy my work, and I have noticed a positive transformation within myself since I started working as a counsellor.” This positive transformation is evident in her tone as she conducts awareness sessions on menstruation, menstrual hygiene, and sexual and reproductive health, with passion and a deep sense of purpose to bridge the gaps in education and boost the confidence of the youth.
The educational landscape in Sri Lanka, especially concerning sexual and reproductive health, menstruation, and adolescent health, has significant gaps. Anjalika points out, “In the plantation sector, we have so many myths surrounding menstrual hygiene and menstruation. So, the girls are eager to learn and expand their knowledge.” This keen interest among adolescents is noticeable as they frequently reach out with queries to clarify their doubts, long after the awareness sessions have concluded, highlighting the ongoing need for reliable information.
While many adolescents express their desire to learn more, Anjalika even receives phone calls from parents requesting personal counselling and further education for their young children. “We have been asked to conduct additional programmes, especially for this estate as they have had several cases of teenage pregnancies in the recent past.”
Dispelling one myth at a time, Anjalika’s sessions on menstrual hygiene have had a profound impact on the estate community she serves. During her sessions, Anjalika encounters various questions. "They ask for clarification about various myths, what they have been following, what their parents have told them, including misconceptions like not exercising during periods, and staying inside the house due to ‘bad blood’" she shares. Anjalika strongly believes that it is important to dispel these myths and misconceptions to foster a healthier and more understanding community, adding “They need continuous support in terms of SRH services and follow-ups, which significantly impacts them.”
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Working in the estate sector in Nuwara Eliya presents its unique challenges, including environmental factors, economic hardships, and cultural barriers. "Drugs and alcohol consumption are significant issues," Anjalika explains. "They often tell us that either the father or, in some cases, even the mother uses drugs." Against such domestic challenges, adolescents in the estate sector struggle to understand the value of education. She adds, “Many are inclined to leave school citing economic reasons, looking for immediate work opportunities. Therefore, it is imperative that we teach them the importance of education.” As a firm believer of education to transform lives, Anjalika encourages young individuals to pursue the long-term benefits of education, during her sessions on SRH and menstrual hygiene.
Anjalika’s work as a volunteer psychological counsellor in the estate sector serves as a testament to the importance of debunking myths and misconceptions on menstrual health and hygiene head-on.
Her message is crystal clear, "Prevention is better than cure. It's essential to teach teenagers about their bodies and menstruation early on. They love to learn, and it's gratifying to provide them with knowledge about menstruation that can positively change their mindsets."
As Menstrual Hygiene Day approaches on May 28th, on the theme ‘Together for a Period Friendly World,’ Anjalika's efforts highlight the collective action needed to support menstrual health across Sri Lanka. She extends her gratitude to UNFPA Sri Lanka for their invaluable funding, which has made these awareness sessions on menstrual hygiene a reality. "The quota of 30 adolescents we target here in educating about menstrual hygiene and sexual and reproductive health might be insignificant, but it is the future of this estate," she concludes, with hope for a healthier and informed future for young girls.
Photo/video credits: UNFPA/Rose
