Support for menstrual health for girls in India

“Don’t touch pickles during your periods; they’ll go bad. Don’t be in the kitchen and touch food, it will be spoiled. Don’t enter the temple. Don’t! Don’t! Don’t! I used to hear all these during my periods”, Sheela (name changed).

Cultural taboos prohibiting 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 Sheela had her period; she felt ashamed and wanted to run away. But she told 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 its natural process. But I had to follow many restrictions during those days. That was given me a sense of uncomfort and bad“. Sheela told Smiley Team. She added, “But now I feel proud to bleed because I understand the importance of periods. Thanks, team Smiley Days who taught me this. Now I proudly say NO MORE SHAME & FEEL PROUD”.

She said, “There are many girls who have 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”.

Sheela’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 and 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”.

Many mothers like Sheela’s mother regularly attend the Smiley Days workshops and enhance their knowledge on menstrual hygiene management. They actively participate in 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