SATKHIRA CORRESPONDENT:
A new initiative called the Drying Sleeve is creating a potential solution for menstrual hygiene management among women and adolescent girls in the coastal areas of Assasuni, Satkhira. The innovation is designed to help dry reusable menstrual cloths safely and quickly while addressing social stigma and embarrassment associated with drying such cloths in the open.
In Assasuni, salinity, freshwater scarcity and financial constraints mean that many women and adolescent girls cannot regularly afford sanitary pads. As a result, many rely on reusable old cotton cloth. However, social stigma and misconceptions often prevent them from drying menstrual cloths in direct sunlight. Instead, the cloths are sometimes dried in dark, damp and poorly ventilated places, increasing the risk of microbial contamination and related health problems.
The Drying Sleeve has been developed as a simple solution to this problem. It is a T-shirt-like cover made of black or dark-coloured cotton fabric. A reusable menstrual cloth is hung on a hanger and covered with the sleeve before being placed in sunlight. The dark-coloured fabric absorbs heat from the sun and helps the cloth inside dry more quickly. At the same time, the cloth remains concealed from public view, helping protect the privacy and dignity of women and adolescent girls.
The Drying Sleeve concept is a collaborative initiative of the Pralong Initiative of the University of Lausanne, Switzerland, Enfants du Monde (EdM), and Eco-Social Development Organization (ESDO). The innovative concept has also received the Pralong Prize.
To raise awareness at community level, an orientation programme was organised for health workers on the session titled “Stay Safe During Menstruation by Using the Drying Sleeve.” The orientation was organised by the REACH Project, implemented by ESDO and EdM with support from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) which is under the Climate Action at Local Level (CALL) consortium program.
The two-day orientation was held on August 19 and 20 at the hall room of Assasuni Upazila Health Complex in two batches, with around 46 health workers from the project area participating.
The programme was inaugurated by Dr Nitish Chandra Goldar, Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer of Assasuni. The sessions were facilitated by Shameema Akter Shimul, Regional Coordinator of EdM Bangladesh, with Md Masukul Haque Masuk, Project Manager of the REACH Project, ESDO serving as co-facilitator. Upazila Family Planning Officer Abdus Selim also attended the closing session.
Dr Nitish Chandra Goldar said, “The Drying Sleeve is not merely a tool for drying menstrual cloths. It is a simple solution that considers hygiene, safety and women’s dignity together. It can play an important role in ensuring safe and dignified menstrual hygiene management for women and adolescent girls in coastal areas.”
Upazila Family Planning Officer Abdus Selim said, “The activities of the REACH Project are timely in addressing the health risks faced by women, children and adolescent girls due to climate change. Local solutions such as the Drying Sleeve can make these efforts more effective.”
Following the orientation, the trained health workers will conduct courtyard meetings and other community sessions to raise awareness among women and adolescent girls about the use of the Drying Sleeve, proper cleaning and drying of reusable menstrual cloths, and appropriate menstrual hygiene practices.
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