Breaking the Menstrual Stigma: Ujaas Initiative Empowers Adolescent Girls

Ujaas, a Maharashtra-based initiative, aims to reduce high school drop-out rates among adolescent girls due to menstruation-related issues. Supported by the Aditya Birla Education Trust and the state government, the program increases awareness, accessibility, and affordability of menstrual hygiene. Free sanitary napkins and awareness sessions help combat social stigma and improve girl’s education.

In a groundbreaking move, a Maharashtra non-profit, in collaboration with the state government, is tackling the social and cultural stigma around menstruation through the 'Ujaas' initiative. This program, spearheaded by the Aditya Birla Education Trust, is addressing a critical issue: the high school drop-out rate among adolescent girls due to menstruation-related challenges.

According to Advaitesha Birla of Ujaas, around 20 percent of girls drop out of school upon reaching puberty due to inadequate menstrual hygiene facilities, contributing to overall absenteeism. 'Reports indicate that 23 million girls annually drop out of school because of menstruation-related problems. We believe that enhanced awareness, accessibility, and affordability will curb this drop-out rate, particularly in rural areas,' Birla told PTI.

The initiative's multifaceted approach includes free distribution of sanitary napkins and educational sessions in schools, sanctioned by the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT). Despite initial resistance due to societal taboos, Ujaas has seen considerable success, even establishing a production unit for reusable sanitary napkins in collaboration with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The unit is training 25 women in Jalna and aims to expand nationwide.