Needy schoolgirls losing out on school attendance due to lack of appropriate sanitary pads
Menstruation, also known as a period or monthly, is the regular discharge of blood and tissue from the inner lining of the uterus through the vagina. The first period usually begins between 8 and 16 years of age. The typical length of time between the first day of one period and the first day of the next is 21 to 45 days in young women. Bleeding usually lasts around 2 to 7 days.
Unfortunately, this perfectly normal function of the female human body remains a taboo and is rarely talked about. Schoolgirls often remain absent from class because of lack of facilities and appropriate sanitary pads. In extreme cases, some of them drop out of school altogether. Most use anything they can get hold of. Scraps of cloth from old saris, discarded garments and even paper! Such scraps are generally used for 2 to 3 months till they wither away. No wonder that sadly for most girls in India this “period” in every month is dreaded and feared.
Our Solution
Gift Jodo Pad Kits to our beneficiaries and help needy schoolgirls lead a life of Comfort and Dignity. Before distributing kits, our Partner NGOs (PNGOs) screen a video explaining the natural process of menstruation followed by a question-and-answer session.
Till 2020, we inspired groups of 5 beneficiaries to plant and nurture a sapling in or around their school to give them a practical example of what they learn on preserving the environment.
Since 2021, we request beneficiaries to draw, paint or sketch any image that comes to mind on drawing paper provided by us. These original sketches will be ‘gifted’ to individual donors that contribute Rs.1,000 or more to our cause.
Jodo Kit Comprises
- Reusable sanitary pads: 2 x Medium and 2 x Large Wings design; made of absorbent cotton. There is a layer of Polyurethane Laminate (PUL) at the bottom, which prevents leakage but permits breathing.
- 2 sets of quality panties that ensure the pads remain attached to the panty when worn.
Extending reach to the local Community
From 2021 our PNGOs have been inspired to assemble a larger audience during the education and distribution event and to include:
- Entire staff of participating schools
- Boy students
- Parents and siblings of beneficiaries
- Local Government Officials
- Local Women’s Groups
- Doctors and administrators of local hospitals
- Other local dignitaries and opinion makers
- Journalists of local papers and TV channels for suitable coverage
