By Jyoti Singh | Project Head
Hello friends,
A huge thanks for showering us with your continued support which is encouraging us to create multiple success stories of highly confident and strong women.
Today, we have come up the story of one of our beneficiary named Mamta (name changed), 40 years old woman and resident of an urban slum at Devri Road, Agra. Mamta got married at a very young age to a man who was irresponsible, abusive and an alcohol addict. She had to face huge molestation post marriage and was forced to give birth to a son which led to the birth of four girl child as well; the girls too faced neglect and mistreatment because of being considered as a burden by their father.
Suffering at the hands of poverty, dictating cultural norms together with unhealthy living conditions added to her plight. Periods too posed to be a great challenge for her due to the inability to access hygienic toilets, lack of affordable pads and most importantly due to lack of menstrual hygiene awareness. She also became a victim of contracting reproductive tract infections. The going was very tough for Mamta, but God didn't close all the doors for her. Mamta's mother-in-law introduced her to the team IDF after which an extensive counselling of Mamta was done by the team. She was made to attend regular workshops under the Smiley Days Project where she developed an understanding about the scientific process of menstruation and about safe menstrual Hygiene practices. She was guided with the right knowledge and provided access to proper menstrual hygiene products which all together led to the reduction of her menstrual woes. The education sessions led to a drastic change in Mamta. She became an active participant of all the Smiley Days Workshops and started spreading menstrual awareness in her community as well.
According to Mamta (name changed)“Menstruation remains one of the biggest taboo subjects in my community. The social fabric is more male-oriented, women’s individuality and needs come second. A huge thanks to the team IDF, who continuously tries to dissociate morality from menstruation, so that we can focus on the health and education of our girls. The support of the team has helped me to discover my worth, I have become an earning woman and financial support for my children. I no more need to find my worth in my husband. Education sessions on Menstruation hygiene management have made me realize that menstruation should be discussed as widely and as frequently as possible and it is not a curse and a taboo. Today, even my youngest girl child (who is just 8) is aware of menstruation and regularly attends Smiley days workshops. A few weeks ago, when my eldest girl child began to menstruate, I was relieved to see that instead of panicking, she handled her very first periods calmly and intelligently all thanks to the Smiley Days program, however, she attended the workshops with me which sensitized her towards Puberty and Menstrual Hygiene Management. Now I am sure that my girls will not fall prey to the social taboos pertaining to menstruation and will turn out to be a strong and successful woman who can break conventions from left, right and centre in my community”.
Like Mamta, there are many more impact stories from the field and we are happy to share all the stories with you.
This year we are participating in “GIRL FUND CAMPAIGN 2019”, you can join us to make differences in the girls & women’s lives by supporting with a donation during the campaign, No matter How Big or Small… Please Vote with your donation today!
This is the link of our project; https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/girls-health-and-hygiene-in-india/?-approved%21&-preapproved
The top project with the most unique donors at the end of the campaign will earn a spot in the Girls Fund and receive support for the next full year. Please help us to secure a spot in the Girls Fund.
We thank you for your support for the girls and women’s sexual health and rights in India.
Regards,
Team IDF
By Deeksha Saxena | Intern
By Deeksha Saxena | Intern
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