New Delhi, Feb 7: Miss World 2017, Manushi Chhillar, who is on a humanitarian world tour on
menstrual hygiene, has said more than a doctor or a cardiac surgeon she has the
intention to work for health and she knows that she will be an asset to India.
Talking to UNI, Manushi who was in the national
capital to promote the cause close to her heart -- menstrual hygiene, a social
project presented by her at the Miss World contest said, “I call myself an
aspiring health worker. I have everything to contribute not only through my
profession but also as an individual. If as a citizen of my country right from
intention to wanting to do good, one must not have to be a doctor to spread
awareness on health, but you just had to have the intention.”
“More than a doctor or a cardiac surgeon I have the intention to work for health and in future whatever happens I know I will be an asset to this country,” Manushi said.
Manushi who won the ‘Beauty with a Purpose title’ (BWAP) along with the Ms World title says her pet project ‘Shakti’ which she started before ‘Ms India’ is all about women empowerment and BWAP encouraged her to take it to another level.
“Shakti is all about women empowerment and BWAP encouraged me to take it to an another level. And that’s when I collaborated with local manufacturer of sanitary pads and Walmart India. We worked in three states of North India, more than 20 village communities where we created women entrepreneurs who would source low cost pads from Walmart and sell them,” she said.
“This is what the model I started with. And when I started BWAP tour, we came across biodegradable and compostable sanitary pads which I think is the future. So this is something very new and this is the newest step that my project has taken,” Manushi said.
Talking on the issue of disposal of sanitary pads, Manushi said,'I think disposing of sanitary pads is a very important thing when it comes to menstrual hygiene. We have come across incinerators for the sanitary pads and since we now have compostable and biodegradable pads it has become easier for disposing them off.”
When asked what all she would do for women empowerment especially in Haryana, where she comes from, Manushi said, "I think when you yourself set an example, when you don’t feel limited, prohibited in any way, or there is inhibition just because you are a girl, and then when you are an example, in a lot of way it creates empowerment.”
“I come from Haryana, but I always had the best of opportunities. My family, my grandparents no one ever treated me differently because I am a girl. Though there are inhibitions with many girls. But things are changing now. When I go back to my state I see parents of girl child, encouraging their daughters to achieve big. Of course change cannot be done overnight but slowly not only government but people themselves are understanding, rise above all of that and empower girls,” she said.
Manushi said, 'When you are a Ms World definitely there is a responsibility. I don’t feel the pressure because I enjoy the work I do And when you are able to go out and present your ideas without disrespecting anyone and you are able to show them with education and proper guidance what pride a girl child can bring to nation, then I think it automatically encourages people.'
“Apart from that I have been travelling to various places and I will be travelling in future as well. When you speak to people it breaks a lot of barrier and slowly those states will overcome the issues they are facing today,” she added.
Manushi said while there's a lot that can happen if all political parties prioritise menstrual hygiene in their manifestos, but it's not about "just politicians".
"Every individual has a social responsibility. That can push for change in the society," she said.
Manushi recalled how when she visited her home state Haryana after her victory at the beauty pageant, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal had announced to arrange for free supply of sanitary napkins to girls in state schools.
Manushi says however these are short-term arrangements.
“My vision is to be able to develop a "sustainable system" of manufacturing, selling and buying,” she said.
Stressing on the importance of “education” and “curiosity”, Manushi said it can be “used as a tool to spread awareness”.
Manushi is moving city-to-city and country-to-country spreading the message that 'Freedom From Shame' of menstruation is essential for healthy and happier women. UNI
“More than a doctor or a cardiac surgeon I have the intention to work for health and in future whatever happens I know I will be an asset to this country,” Manushi said.
Manushi who won the ‘Beauty with a Purpose title’ (BWAP) along with the Ms World title says her pet project ‘Shakti’ which she started before ‘Ms India’ is all about women empowerment and BWAP encouraged her to take it to another level.
“Shakti is all about women empowerment and BWAP encouraged me to take it to an another level. And that’s when I collaborated with local manufacturer of sanitary pads and Walmart India. We worked in three states of North India, more than 20 village communities where we created women entrepreneurs who would source low cost pads from Walmart and sell them,” she said.
“This is what the model I started with. And when I started BWAP tour, we came across biodegradable and compostable sanitary pads which I think is the future. So this is something very new and this is the newest step that my project has taken,” Manushi said.
Talking on the issue of disposal of sanitary pads, Manushi said,'I think disposing of sanitary pads is a very important thing when it comes to menstrual hygiene. We have come across incinerators for the sanitary pads and since we now have compostable and biodegradable pads it has become easier for disposing them off.”
When asked what all she would do for women empowerment especially in Haryana, where she comes from, Manushi said, "I think when you yourself set an example, when you don’t feel limited, prohibited in any way, or there is inhibition just because you are a girl, and then when you are an example, in a lot of way it creates empowerment.”
“I come from Haryana, but I always had the best of opportunities. My family, my grandparents no one ever treated me differently because I am a girl. Though there are inhibitions with many girls. But things are changing now. When I go back to my state I see parents of girl child, encouraging their daughters to achieve big. Of course change cannot be done overnight but slowly not only government but people themselves are understanding, rise above all of that and empower girls,” she said.
Manushi said, 'When you are a Ms World definitely there is a responsibility. I don’t feel the pressure because I enjoy the work I do And when you are able to go out and present your ideas without disrespecting anyone and you are able to show them with education and proper guidance what pride a girl child can bring to nation, then I think it automatically encourages people.'
“Apart from that I have been travelling to various places and I will be travelling in future as well. When you speak to people it breaks a lot of barrier and slowly those states will overcome the issues they are facing today,” she added.
Manushi said while there's a lot that can happen if all political parties prioritise menstrual hygiene in their manifestos, but it's not about "just politicians".
"Every individual has a social responsibility. That can push for change in the society," she said.
Manushi recalled how when she visited her home state Haryana after her victory at the beauty pageant, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal had announced to arrange for free supply of sanitary napkins to girls in state schools.
Manushi says however these are short-term arrangements.
“My vision is to be able to develop a "sustainable system" of manufacturing, selling and buying,” she said.
Stressing on the importance of “education” and “curiosity”, Manushi said it can be “used as a tool to spread awareness”.
Manushi is moving city-to-city and country-to-country spreading the message that 'Freedom From Shame' of menstruation is essential for healthy and happier women. UNI
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