New Delhi, January 11, 2024: Ujaas, an initiative by Aditya Birla Education Trust, has taken a stride towards driving menstrual taboos and fostering nationwide awareness for menstrual health and hygiene management. Led by Advaitesha Birla, Founder of Ujaas, 'Ujaas Menstrual Health Express' was launched recently. This initiative is the first of its kind in India, designed to traverse the length and breadth of the country, covering diverse regions and communities. As a part of this initiative, a Menstrual Health Express Van will go across 25 states and 106 cities, covering over 10,000+ kilometres. Ujaas has partnered with local NGOs to drive awareness and gain insights into the varied cultures, practices, and beliefs surrounding menstruation and menstrual health and hygiene in different states of India.
The initiative goes beyond awareness efforts and incorporates the distribution of free sanitary napkins. Notably, a significant portion of these distributed napkins will be manufactured by Ujaas itself, in collaboration with Self-Help Groups. Through this collaboration, more than 25 women have received specialized training for sustainable cloth napkin production. In total, over 250,000 pads will be distributed as part of this campaign, reflecting Ujaas' commitment to addressing menstrual health challenges, empowering women, and making a substantial positive impact within communities nationwide.
Commenting on the launch, Advaitesha Birla, Founder, Ujaas, expressed her dedication to women's empowerment and menstrual health education."The Ujaas Menstrual Health Express reflects our steadfast dedication to empowering women and girls through education on menstrual health. It will build the capacity of implementing partners including ASHA and Anganwadi workers and also gain insights on various menstrual health practices across India, while ensuring access to safe menstrual health products. Every year, over 23 million girls in India stop attending school because of their periods. Menstruation is a significant public health issue that causes enormous struggles, including discrimination and limited access to essential resources. Our primary objective is to elevate discussions and initiatives at the grassroots level, laying the foundation for a more inclusive and empowered future for women."
Dr. Neerja Birla, Founder and Chairperson, Aditya Birla Education Trust, extended her wholehearted support to the Ujaas Menstrual Health Express initiative, emphasizing the critical need for such endeavors at the national level. "Many girls are unaware of periods before their first menstruation cycle due to taboos and sociocultural restrictions, leading to potential health issues. The foremost strategy in dispelling myths is raising awareness among adolescent girls about menstrual health and hygiene. I am proud of Advaitesha for taking up this cause and driving it nationally. We hope to support as many girls as possible to lead a dignified and independent life during menstruation. Initiatives like these bring the conversation to local communities, engaging girls, women, and men, breaking the silence surrounding menstruation, and fostering a healthier, more informed society."
Through awareness workshops, free sanitary pad distribution, and collaborative initiatives, Ujaas empowers girls and women, particularly in underprivileged communities, to manage their menstrual cycles with dignity and confidence. Ujaas focuses on breaking down taboos and stereotypes, challenging the societal stigma associated with menstruation, and fostering a supportive environment that empowers girls to embrace their periods with confidence. Since its inception in 2021, Ujaas has touched the lives of 205,463 beneficiaries, distributing an impressive 2,575,348 sanitary pads, reaching out to 17 locations across Maharashtra.
