Girl Up India has taken a step towards menstrual equity and hygiene by organizing Project अधिकार, a pan-India fundraiser and awareness campaign. Under the project, more than 180 Girl Up members will activate and distribute sustainable menstrual pads in underserved communities across 10 Indian cities.
In just 15 days, our Clubs have raised $892 and with a generous donation of an additional $685 from our partners- Freakins India, we will be able to support the menstrual needs of over 606 menstruators for 2 years by providing them a kit containing 3 reusable pads and 1 cloth bag. Our project partners, Project Baala will also conduct 2 trainings with the members on popular myths and taboos related to menstruation so that they are able to go into the communities armed with knowledge. The campaign will culminate with an IG Live between Girl Up India, Project Baala and Sarah Naqvi, an intersectional artist who has been a strong voice in this field.
In India, over 23 million girls drop out of school at the onset of menarche because of lack of access to safe menstrual products. Only 36% of menstruating women have access to safe, sanitary products while the remaining use a variety of unsafe methods like ash, husk, old rags, banana peels etc. Using such unhygienic methods to manage menstruation can have serious health consequences like reproductive tract infection, urinary tract infection, vaginal infections, as well psycho-socio-economic consequences.
The campaign’s goal is to empower menstruators with the right knowledge and resources to not allow periods to put a stop to their dreams, aspirations and lives. अधिकार in Hindi means RIGHTS and we strongly believe that it is our basic human right to bleed with dignity and safety.
