Rutuja Patole

The menstrual and reproductive health of women is a very important aspect of women’s development. However, India is lagging behind in this aspect due to the taboo related to menstruation, and the lack of menstrual hygiene management facilities. Millions of girls drop out of school annually due to the shame on the subject and unavailability of menstrual hygiene facilities. 70% of all the reproductive diseases in India are caused by poor menstrual health. Underprivileged women opt for unhygienic materials to absorb their menstrual flow because they cannot afford healthier materials. Many women are not even aware of the importance of using hygienic materials during those cycles.

The Covid-19 situation has made things worse for menstruating women. The lockdown badly hit the income sources of many who earned through daily wage labor. This has created a barrier for women to obtain the necessary staff for their menstrual hygiene. The once who had chosen to replace rags with sanitary napkins kit may have to go back to the unhygienic materials they once used. The pandemic has left women with no choice but to sacrifice their health.

A large number of underprivileged people stay in Babu Camp, Sambav Camp, Vimbasti, Viru camp & Sapera Basti near Chatterpur, South Delhi. Through the project ‘Sakha’, Tare Zameen Foundation has been organizing free distribution of sanitary napkins kit for the underprivileged girls and women in these areas since its inception. Along with it, the organization has also been spreading awareness on menstrual hygiene. It has made effort to empower women by encouraging them to talk about menstruation and speak up against the stigma related to it. Since, it is the time of pandemic the organization is not conducting awareness camps as of now. Nevertheless, it is still distributing sanitary kits along with helpful advises for all the underprivileged women in the said areas.

The organization needs your support to continue working for the cause. 

The project will create awareness among the poor and the downtrodden regarding Menstrual Health and Hygiene by distributing free sanitary napkins kit to those who can’t afford it. The sole purpose of the project is to ensure better menstrual health of the poor women and empower them through awareness on their rights towards basic necessities.

“A healthy and happy woman is the key to a joyful and prosperous family”