Click it and Unblock the Notifications
Millions of people who travel on the Delhi Metro will now see messages encouraging them to care about the health and safety of women and girls. The Union Health Ministry, along with the World Health Organization (WHO), has launched a month-long awareness campaign for this purpose. The campaign was officially
started at Sultanpur Metro Station and will run from December 10 to January 10. During this time, trains and metro stations will display information about women's health, mental well-being, digital access, prevention of tuberculosis (TB), and the PC&PNDT Act, which bans sex selection.
Union Health Secretary's Statement
Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava said the metro system was chosen because it reaches people from all parts of Delhi. She explained that a country cannot grow unless its women are healthy, and that using the metro is an effective way to reach lakhs of daily commuters with important messages. She also expressed concern about the misuse of modern technology for sex determination, reminding the public that such practices are illegal. Moreover, she highlighted that Delhi continues to struggle with a high number of TB cases, making it important to raise awareness on how to prevent the disease.
How Did the Campaign Work in the Southeast Asia Region?
Dr. Catharina Boehme, WHO's officer-in-charge for the South-East Asia region, said it was meaningful that the campaign begins right after the global movement against gender-based violence comes to an end each year. She emphasized that healthy women are essential for healthy families and strong communities.
The launch event also featured a musical performance by WeBhor, an all-women band. After the event, representatives from the health ministry and WHO took a metro ride together to mark the start of the awareness drive. The campaign aims to leverage the metro's reach and visibility to promote positive change and raise public awareness.
