Rangoli Bakshi’s Post

Menstrual hygiene is a significant concern for women and girls worldwide, including those residing in Loung Village, Odisha. It is a natural part of life for almost half of the population. Yet it's often shrouded in secrecy and shame. However, recent developments have ushered in a ray of hope for a healthier and happier future for the women and young girls in this community. On March 30th, 2024, we organized a special session to address menstrual hygiene for the women of this village. This session aimed to break that silence. This wasn't just about handing out sanitary pads (although that was a very important part!). It was about creating a safe space for open discussion, dispelling myths, and empowering women and girls to take charge of their menstrual health. Through open conversations, these ladies learned about the menstrual cycle, the importance of good hygiene practices during their periods, and how to take care of themselves. It's truly heartening to witness the women of Loung Village not only embracing this change but also engaging in open discussions about this topic with confidence. This represents a positive change from the past, where discussions around menstruation were often met with reservation and embarrassment. Today, women and girls feel empowered to ask questions and share their experiences openly. This village is truly leading the way, showing that by talking openly, learning, and supporting each other. And this collective effort not only promotes menstrual hygiene but also fosters a culture of acceptance, understanding, and empowerment. Let's continue to break the silence, and dispel the stigma, and by working together, we can create a world where periods are no longer taboo but celebrated as a natural and normal part of life. To join hands in making a difference, let's collaborate towards a brighter future! #sewabhav #womenempowerment #womenhealth #csr #csrinitiative #orangemantra Mansi Sondhi Rohit Kumar Prerna Malhotra Rahul S Bhawesh Bahuguna

Menstrual hygiene in rural India faces significant challenges, which have a profound impact on the health, education, and well-being of women and girls. A substantial proportion of women in rural India lack access to affordable and hygienic #MenstrualProducts. Many rely on homemade alternatives like rags, ash, or leaves, which can be unsafe and uncomfortable. There is a significant gap in #MenstrualHygieneEducation. A study by the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) indicated that about 71% of young women in India are not aware of menstruation until they experience their first period. This lack of awareness is more pronounced in rural areas. Menstruation is a leading cause of absenteeism among schoolgirls in rural India. Studies show that 20% of girls drop out of school completely after reaching puberty. This is often due to inadequate menstrual hygiene management facilities at schools, including lack of private spaces, water, and disposal mechanisms for sanitary products. Poor menstrual hygiene practices can lead to serious health problems, including reproductive and urinary tract infections. In rural areas, these risks are compounded by limited access to healthcare services and poor infrastructure. Menstruation is often surrounded by #culturalTaboos and stigma in rural India. Women and girls are frequently subjected to restrictions, such as being prohibited from participating in normal activities, which reinforces gender inequality and affects their self-esteem and #MentalHealth. Join us for #PledgeYourPeriod campaign - to normalize the conversation around menstrual health, mobilize resources for awareness and access to hygienic products, and advocate for an enabling environment where girls and women can manage their periods safely, hygienically and with dignity. A healthier future for all begins with stronger voices for menstrual health today. #PledgeYourPeriod #menstruationmatters #menstrualhealth #women #menstrualhygiene #endperiodpoverty Desai Foundation

Empowering Young Girls; Enhancing Lives Amina is a JSS2 student attending a public school. She lives in a rural community, where most young girls begin menstruation without prior information. As a result, she only knows that when she first sees blood, she has attained womanhood. She doesn't understand what sanitary products are or what they look like, and for over a year, she has been using tissue or any rag she finds in the house. Many times, she has had to miss school during her period because she got herself stained. With the belief that no one should know about her period, she skips classes and ends up not coming to school for several days. Gradually, she began to fail her subjects and soon had an infection. Unfortunately, living like this can lead to consistent unpleasant odour, skin irritation, increased shame, and stigma. The consistent use of tissue can lead to infertility and an increased risk of infections for Amina. There are many others like Amina. That is why Feminine Hygiene Support aims to change the narrative by spreading awareness about menstrual hygiene. Menstruation is a natural process that women and girls experience until menopause. Hence, we shouldn't be shy to talk about it. FHS is not only providing free sanitary pads to women and girls but also educating them to enhance their understanding and open their minds. In rural Nigeria, many women and girls lack access to basic menstrual health products and facilities, leading to discomfort, insecurity, inequality, and discrimination. But we're changing that! Feminine Hygiene Support is creating a positive change in rural regions of Nigeria by providing: - Sanitary pads - Menstrual health education - Dignified solutions for menstrual management Join us on this journey to: - Break the silence around menstruation - Build confidence and self-esteem - Unlock the potential of rural women and girls Together, let's create a more inclusive and equitable society for all. Watch our video to see the impact we're making and how you can be part of the change! 8076620859 Boluwatife Ogundoro (Feminine Hygiene Support) Moniepoint MFB

India has over 355 million menstruating women and girls. Yet only 18% of them have access to sanitary hygiene. The current state of India’s menstrual policies looks like this: ➡️ Majority of women in India still use cloth to manage menstruation. This includes around 80% of non-schooled women and 35% of women with 12 or more years of schooling. ➡️ Period products are not a priority for many households. A recent study showed only 40 percent of households spent money on period products before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, during which there was a 16-percent decline. ➡️ Majority of existing work focuses on wealth-based disparities (poorest to richest ratio) in the uptake of sanitary napkins. A significant policy gap exists around caste-based inequalities, particularly among marginalised individuals who menstruate. ➡️ Many girls end up missing school during menstruation due to the lack of gender-segregated washrooms and period products in schools. ➡️ A substantial portion of the population cannot afford to buy disposable period products, directly impacting India’s GDP. ➡️ India will not achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—especially SDG-3 (good health and well-being), SDG-4 (quality education), SDG-5 (gender equality), and SDG-6 (clean water and sanitation)—unless it ensures menstrual health and hygiene. To tackle this problem, the Supreme Court advocated for a "uniform national policy" to ensure access to menstrual hygiene products and sanitation facilities for girls in schools. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare formulated a draft menstrual hygiene policy in 2023. This draft policy outlines various objectives, including 1️⃣ Addressing Stigma and Misinformation 2️⃣ Ensuring Access to Menstrual Products and Sanitation 3️⃣ Promoting Menstrual Health Education While the final policy and its specific details are yet to be announced, the draft version highlights its focus on creating a comprehensive approach to menstrual health and hygiene in India. Yet many believe the policy lacks scope, implementation, and sustainability. What are your views on this policy? Let us know in the comments below. #womenempowerment #menstrualhealth #health #women #genderequality

Today, as we kick off Menstrual Hygiene and Management Week 2024, we wanted to use this video to highlight the lack of awareness around a simple biological phenomenon that affects millions of girls and women in India: menstruation, commonly termed as periods. The Milaan Foundation team couldn’t stop admiring Whisper India’s latest commercial for its wholesome yet enlightening message. Who could have ever imagined mistaking a period for a fish bone stuck from last night’s dinner! Well, Whisper takes us on a journey where an 8-year-old and her friends think just that. Whisper cleverly uses this mix of innocent humor and relief to drive home an important message. In a country like India, the myths about menstruation still run rampant and education is key. Even today, only about 36% of women use sanitary products while the rest resort to unsafe homegrown methods, such as using leaves or rags soaked with gasoline. For over 20% of young girls in India, the onset of menstruation also means missing school days due to a lack of proper facilities, education, and support. With girls as young as 8 now starting their period, the need and urgency to normalize conversations around menstruation is more vital than ever. That’s why Milaan Foundation is working towards educating girls and boys alike about menstruation hygiene at a grass root level. Throughout each of our programs, including the Girl Icon Program, the Unmukt Adolescent Program, and Swarachna School, we’re debunking these myths, breaking down barriers, and empowering young minds with the knowledge and confidence to navigate this natural part of life. At the same time, we realize that we cannot fight this fight alone and we invite you to join us to shush the shushing. Let us break down taboos together and empower our young girls to take charge of their health and futures. We’d love to hear your thoughts and learn about other initiatives or how you would like to make a difference in the comments below. #MenstrualHygieneDay #MHM #Education #GenderEquality #Whisper #MenstrualHealth #CorporateResponsibility #CSR #Empowerment #Health #India #LetGirlsLearn #PeriodFriendlyWrold National Health Mission, Uttar Pradesh National Health Mission, Department of Public Health and Family Welfare, Govt of Madhya Pradesh Video Credit: Whisper India

For Menstrual Hygiene Day, I wrote an article titled "Championing Change: How Political Action Can Transform Menstrual Health in India" for the International Health Policy (IHP) blog. The article explores how political action can transform menstrual health in India. It highlights the challenges faced during COVID, the power of local heroes, collaboration and the need for policy change to ensure dignity & well-being for all who menstruate. #menstrualhygieneday #MHH #womenhealth Jindal Global Business School (JGBS) O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU) JGU Research Menstrual Rights Global

Empowering Women and Girls Through Menstrual Health and Hygiene (MHH) - A Menstrual Equity Program by SumArth When women and girls lack awareness about managing menstruation, they face significant challenges at home, school, and work. To address this, we are undertaking curated sessions to cover the physiology of menstruation, debunk myths and taboos, and promote hygiene practices, nutrition intake, and menstrual products. Why MHH is Critical for Health and Resilience: Meaningful Participation: Access to safe and hygienic period products and facilities enables women, girls, and other menstruators to manage their menstruation and stay healthy. This leads to better educational outcomes, increased economic opportunities, and greater social and political participation. It also enhances their resilience to adapt to the economic and social impacts of climate change. Physical and Mental Wellbeing: Poor menstrual hygiene can result in health issues such as infections, reproductive complications, anxiety, and depression. Safe and culturally appropriate period products and WASH facilities reduce these risks, making individuals less vulnerable to climate change impacts like malnutrition and infectious diseases. Dignified menstrual hygiene management also supports coping strategies for dealing with stress and anxiety related to climate change hazards and disasters. Gender Equity: When women, girls, and gender-diverse people can manage their menstruation safely and with dignity, they can better exercise their rights and choices. Bodily autonomy and choice are central to building resilient communities. Together, let's break the silence around menstruation and empower everyone to manage their menstrual health with confidence and dignity. We are looking to strengthen our work and if you can contribute to it by connecting us with a corporate, a philanthropy or fueling it through contributions and networking, feel free to reach out. The Pad Project | Menstrual Health Action for Impact (MHAi) | Menstrual Cup Coalition (MCC) | GSEF (Global Forum for Social and Solidarity Economy) | Uninhibited | Surbhi Kumari | Melissa Berton | Payal Tiwari | Tanya Dargan Mahajan #MenstrualHealth #GenderEquity #Resilience #Empowerment #ClimateChangeAdaptation #ThePadProject #Menstruation

Poor menstrual hygiene has far-reaching consequences: 📚 Education Disruptions: Girls in resource-poor settings often miss school due to challenges in managing menstruation, including lack of privacy and inadequate water and sanitation facilities, which negatively impacts their education. 😔 Stigma and Shame: Societal stigma around menstruation leads to shame and embarrassment, discouraging open discussions and hindering progress in menstrual health. ⚕️ Health Risks: Limited access to menstrual products and proper hygiene practices can cause infections and discomfort. At ACHAP, we view menstrual health as a critical health and human rights issue. Our actions towards integrating menstrual health in our cross-cutting interventions in women's health include: 🔹 Health-Centered Approach: Recognizing menstruation as a health issue with physical, psychological, and social dimensions, we aim to destigmatize it and promote holistic well-being throughout a person's life span. 🔹 Access and Empowerment: We advocate for providing access to menstrual products, water, sanitation, disposal facilities, and education. We emphasize competent and empathic care to ensure menstruation is seen positively. 🔹 Collaboration and Measurement: We encourage collaboration among policymakers, program managers, and humanitarian organizations to meet comprehensive menstrual health needs and stress the importance of monitoring and measuring the impact of these efforts. By advocating for menstrual health as a basic human right, ACHAP aims to create a more equitable world where girls and women can fully participate in education, work, and social activities without the burden of menstrual stigma and inadequate resources. Let's break the barriers and support menstrual health for all! 🌍💪 #MenstrualHygieneDay #MenstrualHealth #EducationForAll #EndTheStigma #ACHAP #HealthAndHumanRights #Empowerment #Collaboration

Did you know that only 6% of schools in Bangladesh provide education on Menstrual Health Management (#MHM)? In most schools, teachers deliberately avoid discussing the topic, often advising students- "Read this at home!". As a result, nearly 47% of students do not know about menstruation until their first period, and those who do often receive inaccurate information, perpetuating superstitions rather than facts. Survey results have consistently shown poor menstrual health management among adult women, both in urban and rural areas. A report by Prothom Alo on Menstrual Hygiene Day in 2018 indicated that about 45 million girls and women in Bangladesh still use clothes during menstruation. Many reuse the same cloth multiple times, often without proper sanitation. Only 10% of teenage girls and 25% of adult women use sanitary napkins, menstrual cups, or other sanitary methods during menstruation. What are the reasons behind this? The high price of pads? Unavailability of pads? Lack of awareness? Or is there another reason? When there is a lack of menstrual hygiene awareness and usable washrooms in urban areas, what about women in the more disadvantaged communities of the country? The situation raises critical concerns—how can women tea garden workers, who work eight hours a day, or the Bede women living on boats, who do not have proper WASH facilities, maintain proper hygiene during menstruation? #MenstrualEquity #PeriodPovertyAwareness #PeriodFriendlyWorld #MHDay2024 #GiveBangladesh #দেশেরপ্রতিটিপ্রান্তে

"In India, it is reported that only 18% of women of menstruating age have any access to sanitary hygiene products. A rough estimate of the remaining 82% puts the total of women ages 15–50 at around 300 million, which is conservative. The consequences of the lack of menstrual hygiene products access to such a large number is severe for any society, let alone a developing one." #mentrualhygieneinIndia #women'shealthinIndia #socialdevelopment #economicdevelopmentinIndia