Kupwara : Machhal is the last tehsil located at the Northern part of Kupwara district near the Line of Control. Comprising of nine villages, located in remote area away from district headquarter, it is decades behind in many social parameters and human development indices. Women health & personal hygiene is the most pressing issue in this area. As part of Indian Army initiative to celebrate the month of May as “Women Empowerment Month”, the Women and girls in the Machhal were being provided with opportunity to participate in an “Educative Health Forum” and Counselling sessions to empower them on health issues, personal hygiene, maternal health issues, education and various governmental schemes.
Indian Army collaborated with Seema Sheriff, Health & Relationship Coach from Bengaluru to conduct these sessions at Machhal. This is the first time that such a step has been undertaken so close to Line of Control. Seema visited Macchal, Dapbal, Katwar, Dudi, Tshuntwari and Chakki villages and conducted sessions regarding maternity health awareness and menstrual hygiene for more than 300 ladies all across the tehsil. The ladies and girls actively participated in the sessions and were very grateful for the education imparted by Seema. Such an initiative will go a long way in improving the women health and hygiene issues in this remote belt of Kupwara district.

KR Desk