Project MENSTRUSHALA
Empowering Girls Through Menstrual Health, Education, and Dignity
Introduction: Transforming Lives, One Period at a Time
Menstruation remains one of India's most stigmatised topics, hidden beneath layers of silence and misinformation. For millions of adolescent girls and women, menstruation is a source of embarrassment and discomfort rather than pride and empowerment. Recognising this urgent need, Ladli Foundation Trust launched Project MENSTRUSHALA, an initiative designed to tackle menstrual inequity, promote hygiene, and foster dignity and confidence among young girls and women across India.
Since its inception, Project MENSTRUSHALA has directly impacted the lives of over 1 million individuals and educated over 22,000 adolescent girls sabout menstrual health and hygiene. Our comprehensive approach combines education, product access, infrastructure development, and community engagement to dismantle taboos, encourage healthy menstrual practices, and ensure no girl misses out on life's opportunities because of menstruation.
The Urgency of Menstrual Health: Why We Act
The numbers behind menstrual inequity in India tell a compelling story:
Approximately 23 million girls drop out of school every year due to inadequate menstrual hygiene facilities.
Over 120 million adolescent girls face challenges related to menstruation annually.
60,000 women in India succumb to cervical cancer each year, with two-thirds of these cases linked to poor menstrual hygiene practices.
A significant number of women in underserved areas still resort to unsafe alternatives like rags, newspapers, ash, or leaves, severely jeopardising their health and dignity.
These statistics are not just alarming; they reflect a deeply rooted societal crisis intertwined with poverty, lack of education, gender inequality, and cultural stigma. Addressing menstrual health is imperative not just for physical well-being but for educational advancement, gender equity, and social justice.
Our Strategic Interventions: The MENSTRUSHALA Model
Project MENSTRUSHALA implements a holistic approach, recognizing that lasting change requires more than mere distribution of menstrual products—it demands comprehensive education, infrastructure, and continuous engagement.
1. Comprehensive Menstrual Health Education
Our education programs are interactive and culturally sensitive, designed to resonate deeply with participants. Key elements include:
Engaging workshops and interactive video sessions
Storytelling and role-playing activities to demystify menstruation
Specially designed Q&A forums that foster open discussion and eliminate myths
Inclusion of both adolescent boys and girls in educational sessions to dismantle taboos and foster understanding
2. Distribution of Menstrual Hygiene Kits
To ensure immediate and practical assistance, MENSTRUSHALA has distributed over 280,500 menstrual hygiene kits, containing:
Biodegradable sanitary pads
Reusable cloth pads
Disposal bags
Undergarments
Educational pamphlets
Cost-effectiveness is key, with each kit ranging from ₹130 to ₹180, ensuring scalability and widespread access.
3. Sanitary Infrastructure Development
Access to menstrual products must be paired with facilities for their hygienic use and disposal. To address this, MENSTRUSHALA has installed more than 70 sanitary pad vending machines and incinerators in schools, public washrooms, and community centers, greatly reducing absenteeism and enhancing dignity.
4. Preventive Health and Hygiene Practices
Our initiative extends beyond menstruation to broader health education:
Camps and workshops focused on puberty, reproductive health, and infection prevention
Reusable cloth pads
Training on proper disposal methods for menstrual products
Awareness about sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and cervical cancer prevention
5. Nutrition and Menstrual Wellness Advocacy
Recognising nutrition as critical to menstrual health, our advocacy includes:
Educating communities on iron-rich diets to combat anaemia and menstrual irregularities
Partnering with local healthcare workers to promote nutritional awareness
Encouraging healthy lifestyle choices among adolescents
6. Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Practices
Promoting sustainable menstruation practices is integral to our mission:
Training in the proper usage and care of reusable cloth pads
Promoting biodegradable sanitary products
Education on sustainable waste disposal and management
Testimonials from the Field
"Before Ladli Foundation came to our village, menstruation was never discussed openly. Now mothers and daughters are empowered to speak openly and educate each other. It's changing the entire community."
Rekha
📍 Dausa, Rajasthan
Project Impact: Transformative Outcomes
MENSTRUSHALA's impact is measurable and profound. Here's our success in numbers:
Total Beneficiaries Over 1 million women and adolescent girls
Schools Reached: 22,000+ adolescent girls educated
Urban Beneficiaries: 7,554 girls
Rural Beneficiaries: 14,446 girls
District-Level Achievements:
Bathinda, Punjab: 8,256 girls empowered
Dausa, Rajasthan: 5,543 girls empowered
Jaipur, Rajasthan: 4,744 girls empowered
Chandigarh: 3,457 girls empowered
Reported outcomes include:
Significant reductions in absenteeism during menstruation
Improved menstrual hygiene practices
Enhanced confidence among girls and women to discuss menstruation openly
"I used to miss school during my periods because of shame and discomfort. After attending the Menstrushala session and receiving the hygiene kit, I now attend classes regularly and confidently manage my menstrual health."
Pooja
📍 Bathinda, Punjab
These personal testimonies demonstrate our program's ability to create meaningful, lasting impact on individual lives.
Collaborating for Greater Impact
MENSTRUSHALA’s success is built on strong partnerships with various stakeholders, including corporate partners, local authorities, and frontline health workers.
Key Corporate Supporters:
ONGC
BPCL
Asian Paints
Standard Chartered
These corporate collaborations have strengthened our capacity to deliver sustainable solutions at scale.
Looking Ahead: Our Vision (2025-2030)
Our ambitious goals for the upcoming years include:
Expanding MENSTRUSHALA to 30 additional districts across 12 states
Reaching an additional 1 million adolescent girls through education and hygiene kit distribution
Installing over 100 sanitary pad vending machines and incinerators in rural and peri-urban areas
Advocating for menstrual health as part of India's mandatory school curriculum
Introducing locally-produced, eco-friendly, reusable sanitary products
Volunteer With Us: Join the Movement
At Ladli Foundation Trust, we believe volunteers are pivotal to sustainable social change. Your involvement can profoundly impact communities by:
Conducting educational sessions in schools and villages
Assisting with the distribution of menstrual hygiene kits
Helping to manage outreach and awareness campaigns
Supporting research, documentation, and storytelling efforts
Be the change you want to see—join us today!
Together, We Can Create a World Free of Menstrual Stigma
Project MENSTRUSHALA is not just an initiative; it’s a commitment to creating a world where menstruation is seen as a symbol of strength and not shame. Join us to foster dignity, health, and educational equality for every girl and woman in India.
Together, we can—and will—rewrite the story of menstruation.
