Pavitra-Menstrual Education-Rural India & Africa

Volunteers of Art of Living UK and Nigeria and of International Association for Human Values organised an Open Mic night. Her voice: An open mic on womanhood, on Thursday 17^th of July 2025, in London, UK.

The event was attended by 20 participants, and it raised the total funds of over £100. Many participants are keen to join the volunteer team. Follow up emails and phone calls to the participants was carried out to keep in touch with them.

Project Activity and Impact

Since its launch in March 2018, Project Pavitra, a collaborative initiative between IAHV (International Association for Human Values) and the Art of Living, has been dedicated to empowering underprivileged women through menstrual health and hygiene education. Through complimentary workshops, our trainers have reached over 1,78,166 adolescent girls and women. Additionally, we have trained 7010 females to become menstrual health and hygiene champions, spreading awareness across 28 states in India, 11 countries in Africa, as well as in Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, and Hong Kong.

• Project_Pavitra_Report_May__September_2025.docx (DOCX)

Project Pavitra activity report, across, India, UK and Africa for the duration of Jan - April 2025.

Poor menstrual health and hygiene is affecting girls and women in rural communities across India. There is limited access to safe sanitary care products or menstrual education. Social taboos, myths and misconceptions are still strong and not allowing for a conversation about periods. Project Pavitra is taking menstrual education to rural India and urban slums through inspired women volunteers. We are running Menstrual Education Program to bring rural Indian and Pan Adrican girls out of the shame around periods.

Challenge

Menstrual hygiene continues to be one of the most challenging development issues today in India, women and girls often lack access to hygienic sanitary material and basic facilities like sanitary pads that are necessary for good Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM). "Sanitary Protection: Every Woman's Health Right" a study by AC Nielsen reveals only 12% of India's 355 million women use sanitary pads. Over 88% of women resort to shocking alternatives like un-sanitised cloth, ashes and husk sand.

Solution

This sensitisation program provides the knowhow to handle menstruation, improve a female's knowledge of personal hygiene and boost their confidence by providing an answer to their doubts, misconceptions and questions through an interactive and an engaging training method in rural India. It also provides information to dispel myths and taboos surrounding this issue. Girls are also taught Yoga, Ayurvedic remedies and Pranayama (breathing exercises) that relieve menstrual discomfort.

• Project_Pavitra_Report_Jan__April_2025.docx (DOCX)