By Jyoti Singh | Project Leader
“Don’t touch pickles during your cycle; they’ll go bad. Don’t cook. Don’t enter the temple”.
Cultural taboos that prohibit girls and women from everyday activities, including cooking or washing dishes, during menstruation also contribute to a widespread belief that periods are unclean. Misinformation and lack of knowledge about menstrual hygiene management lead to a negative impact on girls’ physical as well as mental health.
The first time Priya (name changed) had her periods; she felt ashamed and thought “I want to run away”. But she to her mother about what was happening. Her mother supported and loved her to make her comfortable. “My mother told me, ‘There is nothing to be ashamed about. It’s a sign of good health and it's natural “. Priya told Smiley Team.
She said, “Not every girl has the same story as me. Many of my friends miss school during their menstruation because they feel shy or ashamed and some of them drop out of school simply because of the fear of staining, lack of knowledge and unavailability of a personal place in school. I am lucky to have been associated with the Smiley days project and receive regular knowledge on the related topics”.
Priya’s mother who regularly attends the Smiley Days workshops in her community and works as Change Agent shared her experience before joining Smiley Days intervention in her community. She said “No, I had never used sanitary napkins in my life and I did not know how to use this. When I menstruated I used old clothes to soak my blood. Sometimes I felt itching and red rashes around my vagina area. I was unaware of the reason for my uncomfort. But when I attended the first session of Smiley Days conducted by the Indian Dreams Foundation, we came to know the reason and started using sanitary napkins. Now I am a happy and healthy woman. I teach my daughter to use sanitary pads to stay happy and healthy”.
There are many mothers like Priya’s mother who regularly attend the Smiley Days workshops and enhance their knowledge on menstrual hygiene management. They actively participate in the awareness workshops with their daughters.
Please help us to change the lives of many adolescent girls and women by providing them with knowledge, hygiene products and motivation.
Thank you so much for your support that helps us in changing many lives in India. Regards,
Team IDF
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