In India, 2.3 Cr. girls drop out of school every year when they start menstruating and many of them end up facing acute health problems. Nearly 60,000 cases of cervical cancer deaths are reported every year from India, two-third of them due to poor menstrual hygiene!

These are shocking numbers considering menstruation is a natural part of growing up. It should not in any way limit the potential of girls or make them feel helpless. For this reason, the Vedant Foundation began it’s I’m Ready! - Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) Program.

We observed that words such as ‘menstruation’ and ‘periods’ were not used openly. These words were treated with embarrassment and shame. We approached several girls’ schools to offer our free session on menstrual hygiene. While many were keen, we also faced resistance from some authorities who did not see the need for such a program. But through discussions, we were able to convince them about the importance of training girls about periods.

Under this program, we conduct trainings for girls in their schools and talk to them about the scientific aspects of menstruation. The session is conducted for two hours by our senior female trainer. We make sure there is no male present during the session so that the girls can share their feelings without inhibitions. We try to create a safe space for these adolescent girls to normalise the concept of periods.

In the session, we ensure all the girls feel comfortable. Our goal to make the session as interactive as possible so that they share their fears and concerns freely. In this way, a conversation around the menstrual cycle is initiated. The trainer then explains the science of periods and also debunks the myths associated with it. Students are encouraged to ask any question that comes to their mind.

Instructions on how to use sanitary napkins and what to do if you don’t have one are taken up during the session. We have also developed a comic style short book about periods. In the book, we have three main characters who discuss everything related to periods in a fun conversational manner. There are illustrations and diagrams to help understand biological concepts easily. Each girl gets a copy of this book to take home along with a sanitary napkin kit.

We are grateful for the positive response we have received from both students and teachers. Teachers have shared their valuable feedback with us stating that the session simplified the ‘hush-hush’ complex topic of menstruation. They even wished someone had spoken to them about periods in this way when they were teenagers. We are also delighted by the demand for these sessions to be conducted in other schools.

We have conducted this session in many government schools and positively impacted 4900+ girls. Our goal is to reach and educate 1.6 million girls, especially in smaller towns and villages so that they can confidently say ‘I’m Ready for Periods’. We also hope to make this a national initiative so that girls in all states of India benefit from this training program. It is only through awareness that we will be able to control the number of lives adversely affected by poor menstrual hygiene.

Menstruation is still considered a taboo subject in India. Customs and traditions add even more pressure on girls and women. It is up to each of us to make a difference. The more openly we speak about menstruation the less stigma it will carry. Our small steps can change how the generations to come will deal with this natural biological phenomenon. Girls and women should be able to live freely all the days of the month!