Komal's Struggle with Period Poverty

Komal was a young girl living in Dashinpuri, Delhi, who had just started menstruating. She was excited to grow up, but quickly realized that her periods came with a lot of challenges. Her family couldn't afford menstrual hygiene products, so she had to rely on a cloth pad given to her by her mother. Unfortunately, the cloth was not absorbent, and she often had stains on her clothes. This made her the target of bullies in her class who would make fun of her and call her dirty.

Komal's situation was not uncommon. Many girls in her community face period poverty, where they are unable to afford menstrual hygiene products or lack adequate knowledge on menstrual hygiene. Komal's situation was particularly dire, as she was using a dirty cloth for a long time, which led to infections and discomfort.

One day, Komal attended a menstrual hygiene session organized by Uboontu. During the session, Komal listened intently, absorbing every piece of information shared by the educator. She was eager to speak to the counselor after the session and shared her experiences and struggles.

We immediately took action and connected Komal with a doctor who checked her and provided her with medicine to treat her infections. We also enrolled her in a free pad scheme run by the government and assigned an Asha worker to provide her with pads monthly. Uboontu also gave her free pads and told her to visit their center whenever she needs them.

For Komal, it was almost like a cathartic experience. She had been holding in her struggles for so long, and it felt good to finally talk about it with someone who could help her. With our help, Komal was able to manage her periods and focus on her education without the fear of shame and embarrassment.

Sadly, there are many girls like Komal who are facing period poverty and lack access to menstrual hygiene products and education. Through our sessions we play a crucial role in providing support and assistance to girls in need, ensuring that they can manage their periods with dignity and confidence. Komal's story highlights the importance of addressing period poverty and the positive impact that support and education can have on a young girl's life.

​

Our Reach

At Uboontu, we believe that menstrual hygiene is not just a concern for girls and women, but a fundamental human rights issue. We recognize the importance of educating young girls on menstrual health and hygiene to ensure that they do not face discrimination, drop out of school or miss out on achieving their full potential. That's why we collaborated with the South Delhi Municipal Corporation to implement a Menstrual Hygiene Management TOT (Training of Teachers) program for government school teachers. Our program provides sustainable awareness on menstrual health issues for girls before they reach menarche, and is conducted in primary schools for girls aged 9-13 years.

​

To date, we have trained 50 SDMC school teachers and have helped more than 5000 children benefit from our program. Our interactive sessions aim to dispel myths, taboos, and restrictions surrounding menstruation, and leverage the knowledge of menstrual hygiene management to address sexual and reproductive health topics. Through our partnership with Wash United, we are working towards changing deeply rooted attitudes surrounding menstruation and promoting a healthy and positive outlook towards menstrual hygiene.

 

In addition to our program for government school teachers, we have also conducted Menstrual Hygiene and Education sessions in slum communities in collaboration with Asha and Anganwadis. Our aim is to make these sessions accessible to all, and to ensure that every young girl has access to the knowledge and resources needed to manage her menstrual health with confidence and dignity. 

​

Our efforts to promote menstrual hygiene and education have been successful in reaching out to a large number of young girls. To date, we have reached out to 55,000 girls through our initiative, including those in government schools and marginalized communities. By working towards breaking the silence and stigma surrounding menstruation, we hope to create a positive impact on the lives of young girls and their families, and promote a healthier and more equitable society.

​

Men in Menstruation

The Uboontu Foundation believes that engaging with men and boys on issues related to menstruation is crucial for creating a more gender-equitable and supportive society. Menstruation is often seen as a taboo subject and is associated with shame and secrecy in many cultures. This can lead to a lack of understanding and knowledge about the challenges faced by menstruating women and girls.

By conducting Menstrual Hygiene sessions along with Sex Abuse and Prevention sessions with boys, Uboontu aims to sensitize and educate them on these issues. These sessions provide a safe space for boys to learn about menstruation, understand its importance, and how it affects the lives of women and girls. The sessions also create an opportunity for boys to ask questions and clarify any misconceptions they may have about menstruation.

In addition to menstrual hygiene, Uboontu also includes sex abuse and prevention in their sessions with boys. Sexual abuse is a serious issue that affects both men and women. However, women and girls are disproportionately affected by sexual abuse and are often subjected to harassment and abuse due to their gender. Engaging boys in conversations about sex abuse and prevention can help them develop a better understanding of the issues women and girls face and create a more supportive and respectful environment for them.