12th-Grade Student Raises Rs 5 Lakh, Distributes 300K Sanitary Pads To Rural Girls For Menstrual Hygiene

New Delhi, Nov 7, 2024: Chuppi Todoh (Break the Silence), an initiative founded by Priyanshi Bagga, a Grade 12 student from Shiv Nadar School Gurgaon, is transforming the lives of girls in rural India by addressing critical issues of menstrual hygiene and education. Through the installation of pad vending machines and the provision of menstrual hygiene workshops, Chuppi Todoh is making significant strides toward improving  basic hygiene facilities for girls.

Having raised over Rs 5,00,000 to date, Chuppi Todoh has successfully installed vending machines in two government schools, distributing more than 30,0000 sanitary pads to over 10,000 girls. The initiative not only focuses on providing access to essential hygiene products but also emphasises education and empowerment through workshops and the formation of self-help groups aimed at enhancing financial independence for women in rural communities.

Priyanshi Bagga, motivated by her own educational journey and experiences volunteering in rural schools, recognized the alarming drop-off in female students as they progressed through their education. Noting the critical structural barriers that hinder girls' access to schooling — such as inadequate access to sanitation infrastructure — Priyanshi set out to create solutions that cater to the specific needs of these young women.

“I believe that education is a gateway to opportunity,” Priyanshi states. “It is deeply unfair that so many girls are forced to drop out due to a lack of basic infrastructure. Through Chuppi Todoh, we aim to create environments where girls feel safe and supported in pursuing their education,” she says.

Chuppi Todoh’s innovative approach includes linking self-help groups to government credit schemes, promoting self-employment, and facilitating open discussions on social issues, all aimed at creating a sustainable model for financial independence and social awareness among women.

Priyanshi's impactful work has garnered recognition, including the prestigious GirlUP Project Award from the UN, and she was honoured as a finalist for the Taco Bell Ambition Accelerator, organised by Taco Bell and Ashoka University.