Shhh!! It’s a Taboo Don’t Touch!! Pickles Go Sour! Sweets Become Inedible! Meals Become Impure! Plants Die!

(a). Situation faced: In India, there is a severe lack of access to menstrual education and health issues. Awareness of menstruation hygiene in rural or urban areas are just inadequate. Females especially in low-income areas face hygiene issues during menstruation, particularly in the beginning years of menstruation among young girls. Girls in rural and semi-urban settings suffer insufficient puberty education and unavailability of hygienic aids (absorbents), which leads to menstruation as an uncomfortable and shameful experience for them. Reports suggest that there is absenteeism of girls from schools due to fear of humiliation and body odor. Cultural taboos complement their snags and prevent them from seeking help, and it restricts their activities during this period. (b). Action taken: Lots of initiatives are taken by the government and social bodies to increase awareness and reduce taboos through various programs, focusing on ensuring dignity, privacy, and breaking the stigma. Efforts are being made to ensure absorbents accessible and affordable. (c). Lessons learned: We face extreme gender-related disparity for health awareness, availability of separate washrooms, cleaning materials, and safe disposal of solid waste. Disposal of these used items is also an area of concern. The efforts taken by a young entrepreneur in dealing with causes related to menstrual hygiene, illiteracy about the whole concept of menstruation, its myths, and taboos faced by young girls and women, use of sanitary pads, and their self-esteem. More social entrepreneur are welcomed to tackle this stigma.