Menstrual health and hygiene, or the lack thereof, leads to inflammation of the urinary tract and complications during childbirth. Numerous girls from families with less economic stability drop out of school once the menstrual cycle starts. The majority of women conceal themselves out of fear and embarrassment. During their periods, more than 77% of menstruating girls and women in India use an old cloth that is frequently reused, ashes/newspapers/dried leaves, and husk sand.

Even in modern times, the majority of rural India’s populace, in terms of literacy and financial resources, is in dire straits and most of them cannot afford sanitary products. Menstruation is still a taboo in rural society primarily due to illiteracy, poverty, and lack of awareness.

The SAATHI team identified these problems in the village of Kond. We held a seminar on menstrual hygiene for 25 young girls and their mothers, emphasizing the importance of using sanitary pads and dispelling the stigma surrounding menstruation. We gave each of these attendees a six-month supply of sanitary napkins.