Uninhibited

We’re beyond excited to embark on this journey! Integrating mental health and menstrual health is a crucial step toward building supportive ecosystems that empower young people to thrive. Thank you Brio Health Global for being our partners here and for supporting and amplifying the voices and stories of those we work with. We can't wait to share the impact we’ll create together—stay tuned!"

What does it really mean to work with adolescents? What kind of support and information are they seeking? How do they feel about their bodies, friends, families, and dreams for the future? This week, Uninhibited had two fantastic opportunities to explore these questions. Alongside Shilpa Nair, I visited Kolar with Daisy Rosales and Aaron Rosales, Ph.D., from Brio Health Global. Our time with adolescents there revealed the richness of their aspirations and the intensity of their emotions—love, joy, sadness, anger—and the gender norms they navigate at home and school. We also had some fun conversations about their favourite foods! A key reflection: While we engage adolescents on topics like puberty, menstruation, and body literacy, we must also address mental health and emotional navigation. Development work cannot exist in silos, which is often the case. At Uninhibited, we don’t have expertise in mental health, so we’re deeply grateful for our collaboration with Brio. Together, we’re striving to address the key intersections of mental health, puberty, menstrual health, and adolescence, all while remaining mindful of other marginalisations young people face. How can the ecosystem work collectively to support adolescents, moving beyond traditional silos of expertise? What would an ideal space for collaboration and resource pooling—centred on adolescents—look like? I’d love to hear your thoughts and learn about similar efforts. We also had the privilege of participating in India’s first-ever National Mental Health Festival, organised by Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies. It was a wonderful space for the ecosystem to come together to address and discuss mental health. The fantastic panel on men, masculinities, and mental health—featuring Nilotpal Kumar, Shreelata Rao Seshadri, Aparna Uppaluri, and Dhruva Ithal— addressing the challenges of working with adolescent boys, social order, and entrenched gender norms reinforced the importance of breaking out of isolated “expert” silos to create the shifts we aspire to, while echoing Uninhibited's reflections from our work with adolescent boys. I also facilitated a workshop on participatory engagement with my close friends and colleagues, Revati Pandya and Nayana Udayashankar, at the Student Conference on Conservation Science (SCCS) - Bengaluru, which has been our annual ritual for the past few years! All this, while dealing with PMS, on my period, and cramping. What a week!

An excerpt from our colleagues, Shilpa Nair and Bhuvana Balaji's field visit along with Aaron Rosales, Ph.D. and Daisy Rosales from Brio Health Global. Integrating these insights into Mental Health and Menstrual Health programs will undoubtedly strengthen the impact Uninhibited has on the lives of these young girls, empowering them to dream beyond the norms and live authentically. Also, thanks for the tip on Mulabagilu Dosa Corner—sounds like a must-visit!

Frontline workers are the backbone of social development, yet many face constant risks due to unsafe working environments. Recently, our team member, Shilpa Nair, authored an insightful and compelling article titled 'Ensuring the Safety and Wellbeing of Frontline Workers: A Call to Action for On-Ground Organisations', which was published by TARSHI. In this article, we dive deep into two critical areas: access to safe toilets and true implementation of POSH policies. It is time for organisations to prioritise the health and safety of their teams. Read it here - https://lnkd.in/gtJ_puEp Bhuvana Balaji Zenobia Imtiaz Dilip Pattubala Ritika Chettri Kiran Dayal Chelsea Dsouza Sowmya Muniswamy Aradhana Maurya prabhalatha bansode #SafetyFirst #POSHImplementation #FrontlineWorkers #MenstrualHealth #WASH #SocialDevelopment

Give a Little, Change a Lot🌸 Together, let’s make periods a time of strength, not struggle. Think back to your own first experience of menstruation. The uncertainty, the discomfort, perhaps even the fear. Now, imagine going through that without access to accurate information, period products, or a support system. This is the reality for thousands of adolescent girls across rural India. Why Your Contribution Matters Many of us have struggled with menstruation at some point—whether it's the lack of resources, the stigma, or the awkwardness of navigating conversations around it. For the girls we support, these struggles are magnified. They lack access to basic menstrual products, proper education on menstrual health, and the social support that empowers them to embrace their bodies confidently. Your donation will help us change this narrative! 1. Access to Menstrual Health Education: We provide accurate, culturally sensitive education on menstrual health, empowering girls to understand and track their cycles, manage irregularities, and take control of their health. 2. Body Literacy & Self-Worth: We help girls build comfort and confidence with their bodies. Your support enables us to run interactive workshops that challenge harmful taboos and give girls the tools to advocate for their own well-being. You have the power to ease the burden for these girls—girls who are just like you once were. Your contribution can make their journey to understanding their bodies smoother, their school years uninterrupted, and their futures brighter. Make Their Experience Different Your donation isn’t just financial support—it’s a bridge between your experiences and theirs. By helping us raise INR 6,00,000, you can transform the lives of 2,500 girls, ensuring that their story of menstruation is one of health, empowerment, and pride. ✨ Donate today and make a difference! Every bit counts.- https://lnkd.in/g62dzb4A Bhuvana Balaji Zenobia Imtiaz Dilip Pattubala Shilpa Nair Chelsea Dsouza Kiran Dayal Sowmya Muniswamy Ritika Chettri Aradhana Maurya prabhalatha bansode

🌟We're Hiring!🌟 Uninhibited is seeking an experienced and passionate Programme Director - The Period Fellowship, to lead our efforts in advancing menstrual health and gender equity. Are you passionate about creating impact and leading transformative change? This is an incredible opportunity to manage impactful initiatives, collaborate with local changemakers, and drive meaningful change. As our Programme Director for The Period Fellowship, you'll lead strategic planning and work with inspiring individuals to make a real difference in menstrual health advocacy. We are looking for people who are fluent in English and Kannada, and Hindi too! For more details and to apply, click here - https://lnkd.in/gfquHYws If you are driven by purpose and want to be at the forefront of change, this role is for you! Bhuvana Balaji Zenobia Imtiaz Dilip Pattubala Shilpa Nair Kiran Dayal Chelsea Dsouza Sowmya Muniswamy Ritika Chettri Aradhana Maurya prabhalatha bansode #hiring #menstrualhealth #programmedirector

On September 11, 2024, the Global Menstrual Collective (GMC) and Menstrual Health Hub/Uninhibited kicked off a very exciting and interesting workshop series of the Fireside Chat! 🎙️ Fireside Chat #5 - Weathering the Cycle: Exploring Menstrual Health in the context of Climate Change was an enriching discussion, facilitated by Arundati Muralidharan and Bhuvana Balaji. We were thrilled to be joined by an incredible and a power-packed panel: ✨ Viva Tatawaqa Tatawaqa, DIVA for Equality ✨ Lady Lisondra, IPPF ESEAOR ✨ Aly Beeman, MPH, YLabs ✨ Stella James Thank you to everyone who were present and engaged actively with the discussions. Missed it? Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered! 🙌 We have curated the key takeaways from the webinar. You can also find the full recording here - https://lnkd.in/gF2wsquS We also have some valuable resources shared during the webinar for you - https://lnkd.in/gXXpPVpE Srividya Prakash Zenobia Imtiaz Dilip Pattubala Ritika Chettri Shilpa Nair Kiran Dayal Sowmya Muniswamy Aradhana Maurya Chelsea Dsouza prabhalatha bansode

We are honored to share that Babli Bhuriya, our Community Resource Person from Jhabua, Madhya Pradesh, has been recognised as the First Runner-Up for the Plan India Impact Award 2024 in the category of Best Young Changemaker (Female)! 🏆   This award reflects her work, her dedication and resilience in advancing menstrual health, sexual and reproductive rights, and empowering communities. We are extremely grateful to Plan_India for this honor and recognition. Our frontline workers are our champions for change. From menstrual health educators to community mobilisers, they ensure that people have access to the knowledge and support they need, breaking down stigma and promoting dignity. Their work is vital in creating a world where menstrual health is no longer taboo but a priority for everyone. Let’s celebrate and uplift these everyday heroes who are making a difference in the lives of millions. We at Uninhibited are incredibly proud of Babli and we look forward to continuing this journey and creating more impact! Bhuvana Balaji Dilip Pattubala Zenobia Imtiaz Shilpa Nair Kiran Dayal Sowmya Muniswamy Chelsea Dsouza Ritika Chettri Aradhana Maurya prabhalatha bansode

For adolescents, especially during times of physical and emotional change like menstruation, this kind of inner resilience is vital. It's not just about managing the physical discomfort of periods but also about how we navigate the mental and emotional challenges that come with it. That's why it’s so important that we focus on mental health as part of the conversation around menstrual health.

Recently, we in Uninhibited initiated our fellowship program in North Karnataka in collaboration with the karnataka government. Over the past three months, our team has undergone intense training, and it’s been rewarding to see their curiosity, self-doubt, and growing confidence. The transition to different districts, living independently, and navigating challenges—from setting up homes to introducing the program to district officials—has not been easy. As I manage this diverse group, I've realised that each of the five fellows brings unique strengths and capacities. For instance, one fellow from Hubli works independently and decisively, consistently completing tasks. Another from Mangalore, though younger and soft-spoken, excels at persuading others and prioritises task completion. The fellow in Raichur is highly motivated and disciplined, yet he often hesitates to share his opinions in group settings, focusing instead on supporting others. In Kolar, the senior fellow advocates for rules and emphasises data and documentation, always ensuring work is organised. Lastly, the Kalburgi fellow, despite the district's larger size, is proactive in questioning processes and seeking clarity, whether with government officials or organisational staff. Managing this passionate and diverse team has been a valuable learning experience for me. My focus has shifted from solely developing programs and engaging stakeholders to harnessing the unique leadership skills of each individual. I am excited to work with such dedicated individuals in advancing menstrual health and hygiene