Within the LSBE Manual my favorite topic is ‘Decision-making’. In it, it says that human beings, no matter which race or color they belong to, have the right to make decisions. It doesn’t matter whether they are boys or girls. I really liked how it emphasized that girls have the right to decide. This was always something my heart said and it is in this book. With regard to menstruation, in the past whatever problems we faced or whatever concerns we had, we were not able to share anything with anyone or ask for help. But after studying this book, we are able to share our problems and needs with our teachers. Earlier we actually feared consequences of speaking freely and openly about our problems. We were actually scared of the word ‘puberty’. But now, there is no tension or stress regarding it.

When bodily changes occur, they are so sudden and generally girls get so worried and upset about them. Not only that, they are unable to share these with anyone. Our teacher told us that we should share and discuss our problems with someone close to us – a teacher we are friendly with, an elder sister or our mother. And we need to share and not suffocate under our problems. After studying this curriculum, there have been many changes in my personality and my knowledge has increased. There is a lot of information that I have gained and have come to know my rights. So now, if someone neglects us, or tries to suppress us, we are able to speak out and say, ‘No! This is our right’.

In the past, whenever I attended any trainings on health topics, I felt I didn’t really learn anything new. But after this session hosted by Aahung on SRHR, so many new ideas opened up in front of me. I don’t understand why there is so much stigma and so many stereotypes surrounding this topic. We can really empower our future generations by equipping them with crucial information about their bodies. I will personally carry forward the concepts I learnt from this training.

After this training, whatever hesitation I had while discussing sexual and reproductive health, has completely vanished. There is no reason why anyone should feel any reluctance while discussing it. This is a crucial aspect of our health which we ignore. Not only should we ourselves not ignore sexual and reproductive health, but we should spread information and awareness regarding it so that no one should feel held back when talking about such topics.