Sanitary pads made by widows living with HIV/AIDS in Manipur under the banner of ‘Emom’ were launched during a multi-community Ningol Chakouba held on Friday at Koirou Thongju in Imphal East.
For every two Emom pads bought, Emom will be contributing one pad to its ‘Safety Periods’ initiative that supports underprivileged women and girls.
The multi-community Ningol Chakouba organised by Emom was participated by as many as 150 women from different ethnic groups of both hills and valley, including widows and differently abled persons in their significant traditional attires.
As usual, the invitees of the significant Ningol Chakouba were seen bringing seasonal fruits and vegetables while Emom returned it with its newly launched pads and other simple gifts. A traditional luncheon was also held together preserving the time immemorial practice.
Founder of Emom, Kangabam Bijaya Chanu, speaking to the media, said that the Friday’s Ningol Chakouba is not just a festival but an initiative to build a chain of unity among the women of different ethnic groups.
Talking on the Emom pad made by widows living with HIV/AIDS, she said that the initiative was taken up in order to give economic security to those underprivileged women and also to make the pods available at a reasonable rate.
She announced that the pads will be made available free for those girl and underprivileged women of cost.
Regarding the quality of the pads, she said it is totally hygienic as it is treated with all the scientific methods of sensitisation.
Ahiamle Newmai from Tamenglong district who attended the Ningol Chakouba for the first ever in her life, expressed her profound happiness to the media.
She said, “I met Bijaya in a training programme two years back and was never expecting to be invited to such a beautiful festival of unity. It is one of the most wonderful experiences of my life.”
President of EEVFAM extended gratitude to Emom for organising such an event which gives the opportunity to many women to celebrate the Ningol Chakouba due to certain factors.
Friday's Ningol Chakouba is truly an example of “unity in diversity,” she added.
