First Experience

I read about a school-going girl in Rural India who was horrified with her first menstrual experience. No one had told her about this very normal event in every girl’s life. I read about how she gathered courage to speak with her mother who was more annoyed than supportive because there would be rituals to perform and that meant extra money and more work. The secretive manner in which all this was handled away from the ‘menfolk’ disturbed the girl but she had no say in what followed. She was given strips of cloth torn from an old bed-sheet which were expected to absorb the flow. Out of necessity the poor girl absented herself from school during her periods. 

Crude Options

These so-called ‘reusable sanitary pads’ were to be washed in private and tucked away in some corner to dry which they never did during the crucial 4-5 days. All this just to undergo nature’s wonderful process of ensuring the continuity of mankind! I realised that a boy would never ever have been able to go through such trauma and hence nature gave women this responsibility. Which they have done wonderfully and will continue to do so irrespective of the challenges they face every step of the way. Most do not have access to disposable pads – if they do the greater challenge remains in their disposal.

Reality

There was considerable talk about menstruation and sanitary pads in the second half of 2017.  Then Padman happened which not only heightened the awareness but also forced men to acknowledge reality. Turning a blind eye was convenient and sadly, encouraged by many women. It remains a challenge to draw men out of their comfort zone. Not just to face reality but to take responsibility to ensure that every girl and woman is provided the comfort and dignity they need. To be grateful for taking the bulk of the responsibility of propagating the human race. And to celebrate womankind for enduring this interruption every month during the prime of their lives!

Outcome

All of the above and more crystallised our thoughts and resulted in starting Jodo India Social Foundation early in 2018 with this 2-Fold Mission:

First Phase Objectives Achieved

• Partnering with NGOs in 10 different states of India to identify our beneficiaries and arrange for distribution of Pads sent by us.
• Identifying manufacturer of good quality reusable sanitary pads made from absorbent cotton flannel with a leak-proof breathable layer

  

• Distributing Pad sets to 100+ beneficiaries

Conclusion

We now request Donations from all like-minded people, organizations and institutions. Please join our 2-Fold Mission and show your support by donating generously!