menstrual awareness

What began as a painful period led Geeta Solanki to a simple cloth pad — and a powerful idea. Today, her social enterprise Unipads is helping rural women across India reclaim dignity, livelihood, and the right to speak openly about periods.

"A single woman can generate up to 125 kg of non-biodegradable waste through her menstruating years. Just imagine the consequences. With this device, we want to do our part in altering this reality!"

"Yes, you need roti, kapda and makaan. But, what will a girl do if she is continuously bleeding under her skirt? It's a social issue that needs immediate solution from state governments," says the woman behind the 'Dignity in Flood' petition. #MenstrualHygieneDay #MenstruationMatters

“My position as an IAS officer gives me the opportunity to work in issues that need to be addressed urgently. I feel that the opportunities that my children can get should also be given to rural children who come from a less privileged background."

The founder of Ek Sangharsh, a non-profit organisation, Bahl has engaged in humanitarian initiatives that focus on the betterment of poor and deprived communities, for several years now.

Mumbai's Myna Mahila Foundation helps women in slums.

The authorities hope Padman will help spread menstrual hygiene awareness.

Over 88% of Indian women and girls are forced to use alternatives like old cloth, rags, hay, dry leaves, sawdust and even ash during their menstrual cycles. This exposes them to dangers like skin allergies, infections and in some cases, even cervical cancer.

The scheme will not just facilitate free sanitary napkins but storage spaces for napkins and environment-friendly incinerators also at all government & aided schools in the state.

While we certainly don’t wish to generalise these myths as a reflection of the beliefs of the greater majority, these 14 instances, prove why India needs to have the ‘period talk’ with young boys and men.