Support for menstrual health for girls in India

"PERIODS is No More Shame.  It's my pride; well, it's a pride for every girl. Every girl needs to know about her first periods. Getting knowledge of Periods is everyone's right", said Naina, 13 years girl (Name changed) 

Naina is an innocent girl. She never attended school, so no one told her about the periods. Even her mother never told her about periods. So when she got her first period a few months ago, she didn’t know what was happening with her. She experienced her first periods when playing at home, and her dress was spoiled.

Naina rushed to her mother with a sobbing reaction. She told her mother about this. Naina was scared and afraid. She said, “Mummy… please see my panty; there is blood on my panty, and I feel I caught a wound because blood continuously flows from where I pee (Vagina). My frock is also ruined”.

Naina’s mother silently listened to her and said, “It is natural. Every girl has to face it someday. I am too experiencing it. We call it Periods. I will bring you to the IDF team tomorrow, and then Didi will describe to you all about the periods. Till then, put this pad in your panty; it will soak your blood”.

Naina’s mother handed a sanitary napkin to Naina without telling her how to use it. Naina was unaware of the sanitary napkins usage, and she started improperly using napkins.  And the result was that she again and again spoiled her dress. She was confused about what was happening to her. She again told her mother about the solution.

However, the next day, her mother brought her to the IDF’s community centre, where the team counselled her and educated her about the periods, terms associated with the first periods, hygienic ways to stay healthy during periods and how to use sanitary pads, etc.

Now, Naina enjoys her periods with dignity and uses her pads properly. She visits IDF’s community centre regularly and meets with the female counsellors. Her mother told the team, “Thank you, team IDF, who provided my daughter with the right knowledge. I might not be capable of giving the right knowledge because even I didn’t know about it. But I feel happy that today, my daughter and I are equipped with proper knowledge”. 

Thanks to all the supporters who are changing the lives of many underprivileged girls and helping them spread education on menstrual health and hygiene. 

Thanks & Regards,

Team IDF