Menstruation Hygiene and Girls with Disabilities

Dear Donors, Well-Wishers, and Friends,

Greetings from BPA! We hope this progress report finds you in great spirit and health.

We are delighted to share the encouraging progress of our Menstrual Hygiene Program for school-going girls with and without disabilities. This project is creating a dual impact:

• Girls with and without disabilities receive free, 100% biodegradable sanitary napkins at the school level, ensuring that they do not miss school during menstruation.
• Women with disabilities from rural areas earn a sustainable livelihood by producing these eco-friendly sanitary napkins, helping them step out of poverty with dignity.

During the last reporting period, we conducted 25 awareness programs on menstrual hygiene across rural primary, secondary, and higher secondary schools. A total of 756 girls participated in these sessions. At the end of each program, girls were provided with free biodegradable sanitary napkins—making hygiene products accessible right where they are needed the most.

We wish to share the heartfelt story of Rekha, a grade 8 student from a small village. When she experienced her first menstruation at school, she was frightened and confused. Her teacher asked her to go home and she stayed away for several days. From then on, each time she had her period, she would skip school out of fear of being ridiculed by classmates.

Today, thanks to this program, Rekha and many other girls like her have access to safe, biodegradable sanitary napkins directly in their schools—free of cost. This small yet powerful change has given them the confidence and dignity to continue their education without interruption.

Looking ahead, our goal for the next two months is to provide 1,000 rural girls with biodegradable sanitary napkins for one full year. With your support, these young girls can continue attending school regularly, maintaining not only their hygiene and health but also their dreams and aspirations.

Your continued encouragement and generosity are what make such life-changing impacts possible. Together, we are not only improving menstrual hygiene but also creating a brighter, more inclusive future for girls and women with disabilities.

With heartfelt gratitude,