Since the release of the Bollywood film Padman in 2018, India has been publicly discussing periods, at least in select circles.
Because the film is based on the tale of Tamil Nadu activist Arunachalam Muruganantham, whose purpose is to supply sanitary napkins to underprivileged rural women, discussions on the ordinarily taboo issue of menstruation invariably gravitate towards menstrual awareness, health, and cleanliness these days.
According to reports, 48.5 per cent of rural Indian women, 77.5 per cent of urban Indian women, and 57.6 per cent of all Indian women use sanitary napkins.
Menstruation is a taboo subject in India, as bleeding women/girls are viewed as impure and dirty in many parts of the world. As a result, the menstrual health and cleanliness aspects are frequently overlooked.
Thousands of menstruating women and girls in India do not use sanitary napkins, according to reports, due to a lack of awareness and poverty. Rags, ashes, and husk sand are used instead.
As a result, Reproductive Tract Infection (RTI) is a prevalent occurrence among these women.
According to reports, 24 per cent of Indian teenagers are forced to miss school due to menstruation.
Despite the terrible news, there are good people and NGOs, such as real-life hero Muruganantham, who are breaking down obstacles to delivering health, hygiene, and comfort to women, particularly in impoverished and rural areas.
We've compiled a list of a few individuals and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working in India to improve menstrual health and hygiene, hence reducing period poverty.
1. The Ammada Trust
The Ammada Trust conducts a campaign called #GiveHer5 to help rural girls get sanitary napkins so they don't miss school during their periods. 'The #GiveHer5 initiative aims to reclaim 5 of 'those' days so she never misses another day of school. Ashok Kurien and the Ammada Trust started the effort to raise funds to provide girls Saafkins, which are reusable, 12-hour menstrual protection pads, according to the GiveHer5 initiative's website.
2. Pinkishe Foundation
Khyati Gupta, 16, realised she needed to make a difference when she learned from their maid's daughter that she didn't have enough money to buy sanitary pads.
Pinkishe was born, and because of it, thousands of girls have not only learned more about their monthly cycle but have also received access to better menstrual hygiene through the distribution of free sanitary napkins.
3. Myna Mahila Foundation
In Indian society, where discussing period is forbidden, knowledge of menstruation and hygiene behaviours is restricted by stigma and taboos. Myna is addressing the source of the problem of the menstrual hygiene management. Myna is raising awareness about menstruation and distributing cheap sanitary products directly to the women in need in the Govandi slum dweller communities.
By producing low-cost, high-quality sanitary napkins that are more affordable than what is currently available on the market and selling them on a door-to-door basis, Myna is able to reach out to women who would normally not leave their house, for a variety of reasons, to go buy pads at a nearby chemist and begin the conversation to break the taboo.
4. Anurag Chauhan/ WASH Project
What started with Anurag Chauhan reading an article on mortality in India caused by inadequate menstrual hygiene has turned into a state-wide effort to address the situation.
The WASH Project (Women Sanitation and Hygiene) is a Humans for Humanity effort that began in 2014 to empower women through education.
Some of the goals of the WASH Project are:
• Awareness: A group of volunteers and doctors travel to rural locations to educate disadvantaged women about menstruation health. They learn about the causes of menstruation and how to deal with the changes as they progress from menarche to menopause.
• Affordability: Many people cannot afford menstruation products due to their high cost. We at HFH give away free sanitary napkins to rural women and educate them on how to make their own out of cotton so that they can become self-sufficient.
• Hygiene: A dedicated group of gynaecologists and academics explains the necessity of perfect personal hygiene and the dangers of poor menstruation health. They're also shown how to use pads properly and dispose of them in a sanitary manner.
5. The Humanify Foundation
The Humanify Foundation is an Indian non-profit organisation. In 2019, it launched a national campaign in rural India to talk about menstruation and raise awareness about it. The charity holds workshops in communities and schools and distributes sanitary napkins to women in need.
Do you know of more such individuals or organisations working towards making menstrual hygiene products available for everyone? Do let us know in the comments.
Also Read: What Is Period Poverty, And How Can You Combat It?
Also Read: Mission Menstruation: How Anurag Chauhan Is Spreading Awareness One Village At A Time