Talking about menstrual health can be difficult, but some women have been fighting against menstrual stigma for a long time. They have succeeded in shaping a positive narrative in several parts of India. There is a long way to go before India becomes entirely period positive, with these women working tirelessly, it’s possible to bring about a change.
1. Lakshmi Murthy
Lakshmi Murthy, who created the ‘Lace Wallah Kapda’ (a reusable cloth pad with straps), has helped spark significant change in the way people perceive menstruation. By advocating for sustainable menstrual products and conducting workshops and training sessions, she managed to reach out to 20,000 women, 10,000 adolescents and 5000 men in just five years.
When the demand for ‘Lace Wallah Kapda’ had dropped, Lakshmi realised that she would have to change her design to accommodate the needs of modern girls. She designed ‘Uger Pads’, another cloth alternative that took off because it was easy to use. Her work encouraged several women to adopt healthier and sustainable means of menstruation. In 2015, ‘Uger Pads’ was nominated for the international award – INDEX: design to improve life.
2. Jayshree Parwar
Based in Goa, Jayshree Parwar along with a group of women from her village produce biodegradable sanitary napkins. Her self-help group ‘Saheli’ provides biodegradable pads made of pinewood paper that Jayshree claims degrade in eight days when buried. In the beginning, people would run away from her stall at exhibitions; over time, people began to acknowledge her pads.
In an interview, Jayshree speaks about her experience with plastic pads and the infections and rashes caused by them. Her drive and initiative have not only created a healthier, environment-friendly alternative to commercial pads but also helped provide women in the village with jobs to sustain themselves.
3. Param Saini
Access to menstrual products has been one of the biggest problems hindering the health of women. Param Saini, based in Ludhiana, has made it her mission to self produce and distribute sanitary pads for free within her community. She manages a small operation consisting of 3 employees who provide 20,000 pads per month.
Made of wood pulp, organic fibre and cotton, these pads are distributed to girls in government schools. Param has also supplied pads to slums and women’s prisons. Since she does not charge for her pads, she pays her employees with whatever donations she receives, sometimes even out of her pocket. Her generosity and selflessness have changed the lives of women in Punjab.
4. Saleha Khan
Teenagers today have been at the forefront of several political as well as social movements. So it comes as no surprise that Saleha, who was merely 12 years old when she started attending menstrual health sessions, is now a vocal advocate for the same. By conducting more than 250 sessions on menstrual hygiene, she has managed to influence over 2500 young girls into adopting safer menstrual practices.
Her work with Save the Children and ‘WASH4LIFE’ program has helped countless children. Her activism has earned her the Savitribai Phule Award, and a nomination for the International Peace Prize.
5. Prachi Kaushik
Prachi Kaushik, the founder of Vyomini, aims to change the face of rural India by helping women entrepreneurs as well as advancing the discourse on reproductive health. She started an incubation centre, the first one in India, that trains women to make sanitary napkins. Her program not only helps women become independent but also develops their business and marketing skills.
In addition to this, Vyomini also installs vending machines in corporate offices and helps sensitise employees to the issues surrounding menstrual health. By combining menstrual health and entrepreneurship, Prachi has brought about a new way to fast track women empowerment in rural India.
6. Aditi Gupta
Where does a young girl experiencing menarche go to understand the changes in her body? This is where Aditi’s brainchild Menstrupedia comes in. Explicitly catered towards young children, Menstrupedia is a comic book that helps clear concepts surrounding puberty and menstruation.
The comic is available in 18 different countries, used by 7500 schools, 270 NGOs and has successfully touched 1.2 million girls across India. Aditi’s work has made menstrual health education accessible and entertaining to young girls.
7. Soumya Dabriwal And Aradhana Rai Gupta
In 2016, Soumya Dabriwal started ‘Project Baala‘ after volunteering in India and Ghana as a teacher. She was able to see the problems girls faced in both countries first hand and wanted to do her bit.
Aradhana Rai Gupta joined her initiative in 2018 and helped co-lead the project. Initially, the project helped educate young girls about menstrual health, but it has since evolved. They designed Baala cloth pads that last up to two years and distribute them during their workshops.
They conduct eight-part workshops in villages and work with other women to impart knowledge in local languages. They have managed to build a strong team of women who travel all over the country and help educate others.
The author is a part of the current batch of the #PeriodParGyan Writer’s Training Program