Breaking stigmas on Menstrual Hygiene Day

Chennai-based AWARE India Trust has taken it upon themselves to be a crusader for the cause, conducting a ‘Period Walk’ to educate residents in the city about this annually. For the fourth year running, the walkathon that is planned on the morning of May 27 at Besant Nagar Beach Promenade, is expected to feature many volunteers break the common stigmas about the topic.

Kavya Menon, head of operations at AWARE, who is spearheading the project said, “Along with the walkathon, there will be an awareness session where people will take pledges; posters and artworks will be displayed and eco-friendly techniques to handle menstruation, such as reusable cloth pads and menstrual cups, will be demonstrated.”

She added, “This is to educate more men and women on the available options. Our project was earlier titled Sustainable Menstruation Tamil Nadu. Now it is called Safe Action Periods.”

Some of the myths they plan to break are people thinking menstrual cramps disable women in the extreme or that some use it as an excuse to take off work. “There are several choices women can make with respect to the body and lifestyle to help them. Apart from the walkathons, we also go to schools, colleges, corporates, residential places and urban slums to educate people.” Kavya explained. Kavya, who is also a certified instructor in the Aviva method that helps women deal with hormonal and gynaecological issues, said that due to the Thoothukudi issue, AWARE will have to limit the event’s timings – but hope they can make an impact, nonetheless.