UDGI Foundation: Empowering Rural India Through Menstrual Hygiene Management and Sanitary Pad Distribution

Menstrual health is a crucial yet often neglected aspect of women’s overall well-being, especially in rural India, where taboos, misinformation, and lack of access to hygiene products continue to pose significant challenges. Recognizing the need to address this issue, UDGI Foundation has taken proactive steps to raise awareness and ensure that women and girls in rural areas are empowered to manage their menstrual health with dignity and care.

Breaking the Silence Around Menstrual Health

For centuries, menstruation has been shrouded in stigma and silence in many parts of India. Myths and misconceptions surrounding periods often lead to isolation, shame, and even health risks for women and girls. At UDGI Foundation, we believe that education is the key to dismantling these barriers and normalizing conversations about menstrual health.

Through our Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) Program, we aim to:

• Educate women and girls about the biological aspects of menstruation.
• Dispel myths and taboos related to menstruation through community workshops and awareness campaigns.
• Promote healthy menstrual hygiene practices to prevent infections and other health issues.

Our program is designed to create a safe space where women can openly discuss their concerns and learn practical ways to manage their periods without fear or shame.

Providing Access to Sanitary Pads

One of the biggest challenges faced by women in rural areas is the lack of affordable and accessible menstrual hygiene products. Many women resort to using unhygienic alternatives like old cloth, ashes, or even leaves, which can lead to serious health complications, including reproductive tract infections.

To address this, UDGI Foundation, under the Swasthya Sakhi Program, has partnered with local organizations and CSR initiatives to distribute sanitary pads to women and girls in rural communities. This not only ensures they have access to proper hygiene products but also encourages regular use of sanitary pads as a healthier alternative.

In addition to distributing pads, we focus on creating awareness about their proper use and disposal to ensure that the benefits of hygienic menstruation practices extend beyond the individual to the entire community.

Training Swasthya Sakhis: Women Leading the Change

An integral part of our MHM initiative is the training of Swasthya Sakhis—local women leaders who are trained to become health ambassadors in their communities. These women are equipped with knowledge about menstrual health, hygiene practices, and pad distribution methods, allowing them to spread awareness and support other women in their villages.

These Swasthya Sakhis not only lead by example but also play a critical role in building trust and breaking down barriers to conversations about menstrual health. Their involvement ensures that the impact of the program is sustainable and that the knowledge shared during workshops continues to benefit future generations of women and girls.

The Impact: Transforming Lives and Communities

Since the launch of our MHM program, UDGI Foundation has:

• Reached thousands of women and girls across rural areas in Moradabad, Sonbhadra, and other parts of Uttar Pradesh.
• Distributed over 10,000 sanitary pads to women and girls in underserved communities.
• Organized health camps and workshops that have helped dispel long-standing myths about menstruation and encouraged women to adopt healthier practices.

The feedback from women participating in the program has been overwhelmingly positive. Many have expressed relief in finally having access to sanitary pads, while others have gained a newfound sense of confidence through the knowledge they’ve acquired.

Looking Ahead: Expanding Our Reach

The journey to improving menstrual health for all women in rural India is ongoing, but with each step forward, we are witnessing the transformative power of education and empowerment. UDGI Foundation is committed to expanding its MHM program to reach more women across rural India, with plans to:

• Partner with more corporates through CSR initiatives to increase the distribution of sanitary pads.
• Organize more workshops in remote villages, ensuring that no woman is left behind in our mission to promote menstrual hygiene.
• Strengthen our network of Swasthya Sakhis, empowering even more women to become leaders of change in their communities.

Join Us in Creating a Healthier Future

At UDGI Foundation, we believe that every woman deserves the right to manage her menstrual health with dignity. By raising awareness, providing essential hygiene products, and training local women to become health ambassadors, we are making a lasting impact in rural communities.

We invite you to join us in this mission—whether through partnerships, donations, or volunteering—so that together, we can create a future where menstrual health is no longer a barrier to opportunity or well-being.

For more information about our MHM program and how you can support our efforts, visit our website at www.udgifoundation.org or contact us at [email protected].