Mumbai, 02.10.2025

As part of the nationwide “Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyan”, ICMR-National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, organized an interactive outreach activity that focussed on raising awareness about adolescent health, menstrual hygiene and digital safety for girl students of Maharshi Karve Stree Shikshan Sanstha’s Mahilashram School, Karvenagar, Pune, on 30th September, 2025. The event was coordinated by Vijnana Bharati.

Led by a team of ICMR-NIV Scientists and staff, the outreach activity engaged 250 adolescent girls, addressing three crucial themes - adolescent health, menstrual hygiene, and safe and responsible usage of digital platforms and social media.

By creating a safe and supportive space for open conversation, the menstrual hygiene and adolescent health segment covered important topics like puberty, menarche, menstrual cycle, process of menstruation, myth-busting around menstruation, the benefits of using sanitary pads and essential tips for menstrual hygiene. Correspondingly, the digital safety and social media awareness segment encouraged responsible online behaviour by highlighting issues like cyberbullying, digital arrest and practical guidelines for responsible and safe use of digital platforms.

An engaging Q&A session was held for the students to voice their doubts and queries. Through this open discussion, they were empowered to make informed choices about their menstrual health and guided to adopt responsible digital behaviour.

At the end of the session, menstrual hygiene kits were distributed to the girls participating in the session.

About ICMR-NIV:

ICMR- National Institute of Virology (NIV), is a premier national research organization under the aegis of Department of Health Research, Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The institute has contributed in early detection of high consequence pathogens such as Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever virus, Nipah virus and Zika virus in the country and containment of outbreaks. The institute takes pride in its contribution towards development of viral vaccines against Kyasanur Forest Disease virus, Japanese Encephalitis and SARS-CoV-2 viruses and transfer of technology for public use. The institute serves as the resource centre for virus research and diagnostic laboratories network of department of Health research, Government of India. The research activities of the Institute are coordinated by a Scientific Advisory Committee consisting of eminent scientists.

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Riyas Babu/Parshuram Kor

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