Sri Subramaniam’s Post

"Men and Menstruation: Empowering Through Uncomfortable yet Vital Education. Pennies 4 Pads recognizes the significance of uncomfortable yet crucial conversations. Educating young boys about menstrual health might be uncomfortable, but it's essential in shaping a more understanding and supportive society. Witnessing their transformation from misconceptions to informed allies was inspiring. Join in championing knowledge and empathy. Learn more and support their cause at www.pennies4pads.org #pennies4pads #girlseducation #MenstrualHealth #EmpathyEducation"

Men and Menstruation    Ever wondered if men have a role to play in the menstrual well-being of women? Do they truly understand or appreciate what a woman goes through during her reproductive cycle? Do men possess enough understanding or empathy to show concern or consideration for a woman’s plight?    Pennies 4 Pads, the world’s largest sanitary pad donor, firmly believes that men do have a significant role to play in this space. A thorough understanding of female biology and the associated emotional swings can make a big difference in their perception of the whole issue, making them much more supportive to women and helping them create a world of difference!    Pennies 4 Pads aims to instill this empathy at an early age. We have initiated the pioneering work of educating boys on menstrual issues. As part of our 'Men and Menstruation' initiative, we organized exclusive training sessions for middle/high school boys last week in the city of Bangalore.    Interesting insights emerged from these meetings. The boys’ knowledge level on menstrual issues varied from absolute ignorance (not even aware of menstrual periods) to misconstrued ideas (believing a girl is not healthy if she is having her periods) to taboos (keeping away from menstruating girls; they make you sick! )    Our Program Managers did a fabulous job of teaching these boys the basics of menstruation and how they can make a difference for their sisters, mothers, and friends by providing physical and emotional support when needed.    The most satisfying part was the way the boys reacted and received this information. They showed enthusiasm to learn and displayed a positive attitude. Hopefully, this translates into action in the future.    Pennies 4 Pads plans to expand this activity to other states as well. As the world’s largest sanitary pad donor, we are working towards a holistic solution to the issue of neglected menstrual health and how it affects education! Support us www.pennies4pads.org or GPAY 919487366752 #pennies4pads #girlseducation #menstrualhealth  

Men and Menstruation    Ever wondered if men have a role to play in the menstrual well-being of women? Do they truly understand or appreciate what a woman goes through during her reproductive cycle? Do men possess enough understanding or empathy to show concern or consideration for a woman’s plight?    Pennies 4 Pads, the world’s largest sanitary pad donor, firmly believes that men do have a significant role to play in this space. A thorough understanding of female biology and the associated emotional swings can make a big difference in their perception of the whole issue, making them much more supportive to women and helping them create a world of difference!    Pennies 4 Pads aims to instill this empathy at an early age. We have initiated the pioneering work of educating boys on menstrual issues. As part of our 'Men and Menstruation' initiative, we organized exclusive training sessions for middle/high school boys last week in the city of Bangalore.    Interesting insights emerged from these meetings. The boys’ knowledge level on menstrual issues varied from absolute ignorance (not even aware of menstrual periods) to misconstrued ideas (believing a girl is not healthy if she is having her periods) to taboos (keeping away from menstruating girls; they make you sick! )    Our Program Managers did a fabulous job of teaching these boys the basics of menstruation and how they can make a difference for their sisters, mothers, and friends by providing physical and emotional support when needed.    The most satisfying part was the way the boys reacted and received this information. They showed enthusiasm to learn and displayed a positive attitude. Hopefully, this translates into action in the future.    Pennies 4 Pads plans to expand this activity to other states as well. As the world’s largest sanitary pad donor, we are working towards a holistic solution to the issue of neglected menstrual health and how it affects education! Support us www.pennies4pads.org or GPAY 919487366752 #pennies4pads #girlseducation #menstrualhealth

It's time to broaden the conversation on menstruation!   Menstrual education should not be exclusive to females. It should be a collective responsibility of both male and females, to foster understanding and empathy. Some fathers have relegated the role of menstrual education to our mothers because we have not involved men in the conversation.   Growing up, I never at any point went to my father for money to buy pad neither did my dad take any interest in my menstrual cycle. Honestly, I do not know what I expected him to do but I admired it when I heard colleagues talk about how their fathers bought them pads or medications to ease their menstrual cramps.   I firmly believe that involving boys/men in these conversations is crucial. By including them in the conversation especially at an early age, we are nurturing a generation that empathizes and advocates for change and support for women.   When I was in JSS, the family was watching TV one evening when an advert for one of the sanitary towel brands came on. My inquisitive younger brother, Frank, asked my mum what that ‘thing’ was used for. She quickly told him to ask me. I think I was too shy to answer the question or perhaps, I was not in the position to educate him so I simply ignored him: he was in Primary two at the time.   Frank is now in medical school and knows everything there is to know about menstruation and pads, but could my mother not have taken the opportunity of the question to give him the most basic knowledge he needed at the time? Was it because he was a boy, or was it because he was too young to know about it?    Our sons, nephews, brothers, etc are the future leaders, bosses, fathers, husbands—individuals who will play pivotal roles in shaping our society. It's crucial for them to fully understand the challenges women face during menstruation.   Starting early, let's educate boys about menstruation, breaking down the stigma that surrounds this natural aspect of life. By doing so, we collectively empower the next generation of boys with knowledge, fostering compassion and understanding. Together, we contribute to building a more empathetic and inclusive society.   #MenstrualEducation #BreakingTaboos #InclusiveConversations #EmpowerTheFuture

If you know me, you know I'm passionate and committed to empowering AGYWs. Do you know menstruation? Sounds like a small topic but do you know what women go through when menstruating? Let's talk about it. Menstruation is a natural and essential part of life for billions of women worldwide. Yet, the stigma and misconceptions surrounding it continue to impact adolescent and young women, often leading to shame, misinformation, and barriers to education and health. It's time we change the narrative. This are the ways we can use. 1. Education is Key**: Comprehensive menstrual education should be an integral part of the curriculum. When young women understand their bodies, they are better equipped to manage their health and well-being. This knowledge also fosters confidence and self-esteem. 2. Access to Menstrual Products: No young woman should miss out on opportunities due to a lack of menstrual products. Ensuring access to affordable and hygienic menstrual products is crucial for their dignity, education, and overall health. 3. Creating Supportive Environments: Schools, workplaces, and communities must be supportive spaces where menstruation is not a taboo. This includes having facilities that cater to menstrual needs and promoting open conversations. 4. Combating Stigma and Myths: We must actively work to dismantle harmful myths and stigmas associated with menstruation. Normalizing menstruation through positive representation in media and public discourse can make a significant difference. 5. Health and Policy Advocacy: Advocacy for policies that support menstrual health and hygiene is vital. This includes everything from ensuring menstrual leave policies to advocating for tax-free menstrual products. Let's commit to fostering a world where adolescent and young women feel empowered, educated, and supported in their menstrual health journey. By addressing these issues head-on, we pave the way for a healthier, more equitable future. #MenstrualHealth #WomensHealth #Education #Empowerment #HealthEquity #BreakingTheSilen

I remember my first period. I was 13 years old, and my mum had prepared me for the experience. We had books in our home about it, talked about it freely and I had access to menstrual products. This is not the case with many girls who live in my continent. In many cultures and communities, when a girl or woman is on her period she’s isolated, excluded from social activities, and not allowed to enter religious spaces during her periods. Because, “menstruation” is seen as impure and dirty. Can you imagine being called "unclean" or "impure" just because you're on your period? It's unfortunate that this is the reality of many women and girls. The question remains: why should there be any shame attached to something as natural as menstruation? I believe the answer lies in the lack of proper education, stigma, high cost of menstrual products and the lack of proper sanitation facilities. Over 500 million women and girls don't have access to menstrual hygiene management that they need for their period each month. This has led to girls missing school, women missing work, and countless others facing unnecessary health risks. While there have been some campaigns of ending the stigma around menstruation, I believe there’s a need for more awareness and action towards ending this stigma. And it starts with: - Having a well informed education on menstruation for all including men and boys - Ensuring that menstrual products are affordable and accessible to everyone, everywhere - Provision for an hygienic menstrual toilets at work and schools - Invest in improving data on menstrual health and hygiene. With these actions in place, I believe menstruation would no longer become a thing of shame and together, we can change how society views menstruation. ♻ REPOST if you support ending the stigma and shame around menstruation. Can you also remember the first time you had your menstruation? #menstrualhygieneday #endperiodpoverty #wearecommitted #periodfriendlyworld

Here's a few reasons why your school should be talking about periods & the menstrual cycle 🩸 (yes, EVEN if it's a boys school) ✨ breaking the taboos which seriously still impact our society today, and lead to (among other things) women spending 25% more time than men in debilitating health (WEF & McKinsey 2024) ✨ giving young women the tools to operate at their best, by working *with* their cycle, and young men the understanding of how women's cycles work ✨ how girls’ periods are treated in the early years directly correlates to their long-term body image (Schooler, Ward, Merriwether and Caruthers, Cycles of Shame, 2005) 👉 contact us to find out more about our school talks and workshops! ----------------- Understand Your Cycle is a medically verified platform that teaches us everything about the menstrual cycle, and how to work with it. Check out our website, social media, podcast, and newsletter to get your dose of menstrual cycle knowledge. It's time to talk about periods! 🩸 UYC also provides school workshops and talks around the menstrual cycle and other aspects of reproductive health. Contact us to find out more.

I have always been stunned at the stigma surrounding menstruation. I am now stunned that it is also taking precious lives. In many cultures, it is welcomed as a sign of fertility. We are all here today because our mothers had a period. We were covered in our mother's blood when we were born. It is responsible for creating life. It is naturally occurring in our bodies. How can it be associated with purity? As if it were drinking water, or a bar of gold! Blood is blood, regardless of where in the body it oozes out of. If someone's hand bleeds, we show concern, help the person treat the wound, offering medication for physical healing and support for emotional strength. Then why must our behaviour change with where this blood is? The most sorted, responsible teacher in every school needs to take up this subject and normalize it for children. The most sorted, responsible elder in each family needs to build it in their family culture. The focus must be reproductive health. Period. Women on periods should not be the ones considering whether entering a temple will make the premises impure, or invite god's wrath. People with narrow, discriminating minds and actions must be the ones rather considering whether they will make the premises impure, or invite god's wrath. Instead of ads focusing on how 'white' our clothes will stay after using a pad, we need public service advertising to show how normal a period is, and how best we can support the girls and women in our lives to make it through the physical pain or emotional swings accompanying periods. Then we move forward as a society, secure in the knowledge that our girls are safe. According to UNICEF, 1.8 billion people menstruate. Let's set things right for over 22% of our world. Are you a parent, or know a parent with a teenage child at home? Watch Dr Meghna- The Therapist Mommy's video about how to talk about periods to your child: https://lnkd.in/gKV_PTj6 Watch The Pad Project's film Period. End of Sentence. at https://lnkd.in/gU3UfThN #education #health #culture

Promoting Menstrual Health Education Embarking on the journey towards empowerment for menstruators necessitates a crucial step often overlooked: comprehensive menstrual health education. Here’s why shedding light on this topic is pivotal for transforming lives and societies: 1. Ending the Silence: By dismantling the stigma surrounding menstruation, we foster an environment where menstruators feel empowered to discuss their bodies openly. Breaking this silence is the first step towards cultivating a culture of understanding and support. 2. Health as a Priority: Menstrual health education isn't just about periods; it's about overall well-being. Equipping menstruators with knowledge about menstrual hygiene, reproductive health, and menstrual disorders empowers them to prioritize their health and seek appropriate care when needed. 3. Education and Economic Opportunities: Lack of access to menstrual health resources often impedes menstruators' education and participation in the workforce. By ensuring access to menstrual hygiene products and facilities, we pave the way for equal opportunities in education and employment. 4. Choice and Autonomy: When menstruators understand their bodies, they gain agency over their reproductive health decisions. Comprehensive education enables them to make informed choices about contraception, family planning, and reproductive healthcare, empowering them to shape their own futures. 5. Community Impact: The benefits of menstrual health education extend beyond individuals to entire communities. By promoting healthy practices and dispelling myths, we contribute to improved hygiene standards, reduced healthcare burdens, and enhanced community well-being. 6. Advancing Gender Equality: Menstrual health education is a cornerstone of gender equality efforts. By advocating for inclusive policies and initiatives that prioritize menstrual health, we challenge societal norms and pave the way for a more equitable world for all. Join the movement to unveil the power of menstrual health education. Together, let's empower menstruators, transform societies, and build a future where every menstruator can thrive with dignity and autonomy. #menstruation #mesntrualequity #menstrualhealth #period #periods #menstruators #periodpoverty #education #knowledge #hygiene #study #growth

This is appalling.... In India, menstruation, a natural part of a woman’s reproductive cycle, has always been surrounded by secrecy and shame.   But this incident brings to light how lack of awareness about periods can be deadly. Culturally in many parts of India, menstruation is still considered to be dirty and impure. And because of this, girls & women on their periods are: 🌵 Prohibited from participating in normal life 🌵 Not allowed to enter the puja room, or kitchen 🌵 Restricted from offering prayers or touching holy books 🌵 Not allowed to cook food, or touch food prepared for others She must be “purified” before she is allowed to return to her family and day to day chores of her life. These taboos adversely impact the lives of girls and women- their mental and physical health, and their very life. +++ So what can we do? What’s one of the most effective ways of combating myths and social taboos related to menstruation? RAISING AWARENESS AMONG ADOLESCENT GIRLS RELATED TO MENSTRUAL HEALTH & HYGIENE! Young girls often grow up with limited knowledge of menstruation because their mothers shy away from discussing the issues with them. Adult women may themselves not be aware of the biological facts or good hygienic practices, instead passing on cultural taboos and restrictions to be observed. +++ When we normalize period conversations, and start talking about periods normally with everyone, including all genders, we break the chains of menstrual taboos and create a world where girls can embrace their periods with pride and another 14-year-old doesn’t have to take her life. #periods #periodeducation #menstruation #womenshealth #taboo #parenting