‘Education is a must’

Miss World Manushi Chillar pitches in for menstrual hygiene

Some beautiful and accomplished women came together for a humanitarian cause in Delhi this week. Led by Manushi Chillar, Miss World 2017, six other Miss World Continental winners have embarked on a whirlwind tour to create awareness, dispel myths and taboos surrounding menstural hygiene. They are collaborating with Aakar Innovations, a pioneer in making innovative pads that are environment friendly.

Addressing a huge gathering, Manushi recalled her first brush with menstrual hygiene when she became aware that her domestic help could not conceive.

Early lessons

“There was fibrous tissue in her uterus which was most probably due to infection during menstrual cycle. This devastated her and had left her depressed. I then realised the significance of menstrual hygiene in a woman’s life and well being.” Her one-year study while pursuing MBBS provided her more insights. “I realised that lack of awareness was not the only cause. Women knew that they had to use sanitary pads but did not have the opportunity to practice it. For example, they did not have money or there were no shops in their vicinity to purchase pads. They could not go to buy on their own as they felt embarrassment in asking the male shopkeeper,” said Manushi, who also won the Beauty With A Purpose Award at the Miss World finals for her menstrual hygiene awareness campaign.

Emphasising the movement’s importance, Manushi pointed out that many girls in India missed five school days a month due to menstruation and 23% dropped out of school after adolescence. “Education is a must. Awareness will stem drop out rates and may be the next Miss World will emerge from among them.”

Jaydeep Mandal, founder of Aakar Innovations, briefed the gathering about manufacturing compostable pads. “We are exploring to use locally available materials. For example, jute in eastern India, banana fibre in Gujarat, hyacinths in south and bamboo in north east are compostable, that is degradable in 180 days in composting condition, turning it into manure. Soon we will go in for commercial production of pads made of jute. At present it costs ₹40 for eight as compared to ₹28 for those available in the market, but we are attempting to bring the cost down.”

Aakar helps in setting up units run by women to manufacture pads in villages. “This enterprise model empowers them, providing employment, delivering the pads to the last mile and most importantly starting conversation about health practices.” Their Social Ventures runs regular programmes in rural areas and urban slums. “We talk to girls, women, boys and men and promote the cause holistically. We give scientific explanations. For example, we tell men that being desirous of children, they must understand menstruation and its close link with reproduction. That makes them amenable to reason.”