Menstrual hygiene products distributed at St. Rocks School

One of the flagship programmes of our government in recent years has been ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’—meant to remedy the systemic injustice and inequality faced by Indian girls. This programme rightly identifies education as one of the key needs of the girl child. One of the key obstacles that young girls face in their quest towards education is the lack of access to sanitary menstrual hygiene products. Given that menstruation is still considered a taboo by many people in our society, girls are not encouraged to discuss the problems they face freely. Many of them are unable to attend school during their periods because they do not have access to menstrual hygiene products. The social mores and fear of embarrassment cause many girls to stay home, and over time, drop out of school altogether.

This is why Mumbai Smiles strives to provide menstrual hygiene products to underprivileged adolescent girls as often as possible. On 23 October 2018, the Primary and Higher Education projects distributed sanitary napkins to 11 young girls at St. Rocks School in Marol. Such activities are an important part of our overall education goals. A big part of ‘Beti Padhao’ is to empower girls to stay in school till they complete their education.