Menstrual Hygiene & Hygiene Management
Why it Matters
In India, the gap in menstrual hygiene is stark.
According to the National Family Health Survey (2015–16), only 48% of rural girls aged 15–24 use hygienic products, compared to 77% in urban areas. Behind these numbers are girls forced to skip school—or drop out entirely—because they lack access to safe options. Many resort to cloth, leaves, or rags, risking infections and long-term health issues. With 28% of Indian women diagnosed with cervical cancer, poor menstrual hygiene is not just a statistic—it’s a crisis demanding urgent action.
Menstrual health challenges cut across regions, but they take on a unique urgency in West Bengal and Ladakh.
At Amrita-Seattle, we believe menstrual health is beyond health and hygiene, it's about dignity, empowerment, and equity. Yet millions of girls and women still face stigma, lack of products, lack of education, and silence around menstruation—forcing them out of classrooms, work, and daily life.
West Bengal
In many rural areas, poverty and stigma still force girls to miss school during their periods. Families often lack awareness about safe menstrual practices, and access to affordable products is limited. By addressing menstrual health here, Amrita-Seattle not only helps girls stay in school but also empowers women to break cycles of silence and inequality in their communities.
Ladakh
Harsh climates and geographical isolation create additional barriers. In remote villages, menstrual products are scarce, education around menstrual health are non-existent / minimal, and taboos run deep. For girls in Ladakh, missing school is compounded by long travel distances and extreme weather, making menstrual health support critical for their education and dignity.
Our Work
Period Products
EVERYTHING A GIRL NEEDS TO MANAGE HER PERIODS WITH DIGNITY
We provide Period Kits that include reusable pads, compostable pads, and—more recently—menstrual cups.
Each kit also comes with several pairs of underwear, soap, and a period-tracker calendar, giving girls and women not just products, but dignity, comfort, and confidence.
Education & Awareness
When women and girls become educators in their own communities, they break cycles of stigma and silence
-
School and community workshops to teach girls, parents, and teachers about safe menstrual practices.
-
Breaking taboos through open conversations, storytelling, and theater, so menstruation is no longer shrouded in silence or shame.
-
Training girls and women to promote menstrual hygiene awareness, reproductive health, and education through the Days for Girls Ambassador of Women’s Health 101 program. The Days for Girls Ambassador of Women’s Health 101 program is a globally recognized, evidence-based curriculum developed by Days for Girls International, a nonprofit working in over 145 countries.
Meet Our Ambassadors of Women's Health
Amrita-Seattle uses the Days for Girls Ambassador of Women’s Health 101 program and the DfG framework to train young girls and women in menstrual health management. This globally recognized, evidence-based curriculum—developed by Days for Girls International, a nonprofit working in 145+ countries—equips participants with accurate, age-appropriate knowledge on menstruation, puberty, reproduction, and hygiene.
Respected worldwide, the program:
-
Standardizes knowledge with expert-vetted curriculum.
-
Builds community leadership by preparing women to teach others.
-
Destigmatizes menstruation with practical tools to break taboos.
-
Empowers globally, with thousands trained as menstrual health advocates.
By adopting this program, Amrita-Seattle ensures girls and women are not only educated, but also certified as credible ambassadors, capable of spreading knowledge with trust and impact.
Related News and Blog Posts
