CHANDIGARH, 29.12.24-Enactus team of Panjab University took an initiative to empower underprivileged communities through Financial Literacy and Menstrual Health & Hygiene Workshop at Maloya. The workshop was designed to help Maloya residents enhance their knowledge and improve their quality of life, conveyed Prof. Seema Kapoor, Faculty Advisor of Enactus team and Vice President of Corporate Sustainability Council, Women's Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CSC WICCI), Chandigarh.

The program kicked off with a focused session on Menstrual Health and Hygiene, with Dr. Rajni Lamba, CEO of The Rural Environmental Enterprises Development Society (The REEDS), a renowned specialist in women’s health, as the key speaker. Dr. Lamba spoke about the importance of menstrual hygiene and the need to break the stigma surrounding menstruation among women of rural and underserved communities. She highlighted simple, practical steps women and girls can take to maintain good hygiene and health during menstruation, as well as the significance of access to healthy sanitary products. Dr. Lamba explained that when women and girls are educated about their bodies and how to care for them properly, it empowers them to make informed decisions. She encouraged them to build confidence and control their lives to build strong families and healthy children.

The second segment of the event focused on Financial Literacy, with Dr. Monika Aggarwal, Associate Professor at GCG, Sector-11, Chandigarh, leading the session. Dr. Aggarwal, a certified professional from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), provided valuable insights into financial management. She introduced participants to key strategies such as budgeting, saving, and effective credit management. Dr. Aggarwal emphasized that by mastering these skills, individuals can make informed financial decisions, ensuring long-term stability. She also informed attendees about several government schemes, including Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, encouraging them to take advantage of these opportunities. The session sparked great interest, with participants actively engaging and asking numerous questions throughout the workshop.

Enactus team remains dedicated to tackling the unique challenges faced by underserved communities, striving to build a society where financial independence and menstrual health are accessible to all, conveyed Prof. Amit Chauhan, Dean Student Welfare, Panjab University. As part of the initiative, sanitary napkins were distributed to participants, with additional distribution carried out door-to-door in the local community. Refreshments were also distributed to the workshop participants, said Muskan Sihag, President of the team.