On 6th May, 2023, Million Daughters Foundation organised an education drive on menstrual health management at KVOFD where the female students were informed on topics like menstruation, menstrual health and menstrual hygiene.
In many parts of our country, menstruation is still considered a taboo. It is not openly talked about and certainly not seen as a human rights issue. At Million Daughters Foundation, we aim to change the fabric of the society in such a manner that menstruation is no longer viewed with negative connotations and is considered a women’s health issue. At KVOFD, with the permission of the principal, Mr. Sunil Dutt, and the help of the staff members like Ms. Zainab Khan, Mrs. Shilpika Singh and Ms. Manvi Tamta, the Foundation was able to conduct an awareness drive.
This drive was spearheaded by a long time volunteer of the Foundation, Zainab Khan, who works in the school as a special educator, and was managed by our team member Anees Fatima. The drive was conducted in two phases where the first involved the female students of class VII and class VIII. The second drive involved the female students of class V and class VI.
As most of the girls had reached puberty and started menstruating, the first drive focussed on various aspects of menstruation. Our team debunked the myths associated with menstruation and gave the students a list of what to do and what not to do while menstruating. The girls were also made aware of the exercises that they can do and food that they can, should and should not consume while menstruating. During the drive, the girls were also informed about the different ways to maintain menstrual hygiene. The drive ended with an open floor where the students were encouraged to ask questions and share their views. Many students cleared their doubts by asking questions and some discussed their problems vis-à-vis menstruation.
The second drive, owing to the age of the recipients, was more focussed on making the young girls familiar with the process of menstruation as almost all of them have yet to start menstruating. The session was about preparing these girls for what’s to come in the future and make them understand that menstruation is a biological process, can be managed well and is not something to be afraid of.
Less than 13% of Indian women and girls who menstruate have access to period products which are often deemed as unnecessary. In the absence of safe period products, many have to resort of unsafe options like coconut husks, rags and cloth, leading to health issues in many. As the cost of living rises in the country, many families are not able to afford the period products. Several young girls drop out of school when they reach puberty as they don’t have the means to manage their periods. To address this, the Foundation has provided KVOFD with sanitary napkins that are to be availed by those girls whose family cannot afford it. It is our firm belief that girls can take our country and society forward when they are not bound by societal norms or discrimination. The Million Daughters Foundation attempts to fight against period poverty to provide young girls of the country a chance to complete their education, giving their dreams and aspirations new wings.
