The campaign featured a series of interactive public engagement activities aimed at encouraging open discussions around menstruation, challenging stigma and misconceptions, and promoting awareness regarding menstrual hygiene management. Through the “Trash Out the Myths” activity, participants were encouraged to identify and reject common misconceptions related to menstruation and menstrual hygiene. Another activity, “Period Pulse,” created an interactive platform for commuters and visitors to exchange perspectives and assess public understanding of menstrual hygiene management, helping initiate informed and open conversations on the issue.
The “Period Rights Map” invited participants to express support for dignity, accessibility, awareness, and inclusivity related to menstrual hygiene in schools, workplaces, public spaces, and communities. By taking the conversation to one of the busiest public transport hubs in the country, the initiative sought to normalize discussions around menstruation and encourage stigma-free attitudes toward menstrual hygiene in everyday life.
The initiative comes at a time when menstrual health and hygiene management is increasingly being recognized as an issue linked to dignity, equality, education, and public health. This momentum was further strengthened by the Supreme Court’s recognition of menstrual health and hygiene as intrinsically connected to the fundamental rights to dignity, equality, education, and health under Articles 14, 15, and 21 of the Constitution.
Despite growing awareness across India, significant gaps in menstrual hygiene access and education continue to persist. National data indicates that nearly one in four young women in India still lacks access to hygienic menstrual products and practices. Studies have also revealed that many adolescent girls remain unaware of menstruation before experiencing their first menstrual cycle, while stigma, misinformation, and inadequate support systems continue to affect confidence, mobility, school attendance, and participation in everyday activities.
The disparities are especially visible within underserved communities and urban informal settlements, where girls continue to face challenges related to privacy, access to menstrual hygiene products, awareness, and social stigma despite residing in large metropolitan cities. Research conducted in urban settlements has further highlighted that school absenteeism during menstruation can reach nearly 38 percent, reinforcing the urgent need for sustained awareness campaigns and community-led menstrual health initiatives.
By bringing the conversation into a highly visible public landmark accessed daily by millions of commuters, Ujaas and Central Railway aimed to encourage mainstream dialogue around menstrual hygiene management and challenge the silence that continues to surround the subject.
Speaking on the occasion, Advaitesha Birla, Founder of Ujaas and representative of the Aditya Birla Education Trust, said that for many girls and women, menstruation continues to affect confidence, mobility, and participation in daily life because of silence and misinformation surrounding the subject. She stated that meaningful change requires not only awareness but also supportive ecosystems and open conversations across schools, communities, families, and public institutions. She thanked Central Railway for supporting the initiative and said the campaign aimed to encourage openness, dignity, and normalization surrounding menstrual health.
Dr. Swapnil Nila, Chief Public Relations Officer of Central Railway, stated that as one of the country’s largest public service networks carrying millions of passengers every day, Indian Railways believes public institutions and public spaces can play an important role in promoting social awareness and inclusion. He said the collaboration with Ujaas was intended to encourage more open discussions around menstrual health and hygiene and contribute toward creating a more informed and supportive environment for women and girls.
According to Ujaas, the initiative has so far impacted more than 1.2 million beneficiaries and distributed over 4.8 million menstrual hygiene products across India. Programme assessments have indicated measurable behavioural change, including a 48 percentage-point increase in rejection of menstrual myths among girls, a 38 percentage-point improvement in menstrual health awareness, and a 44 percentage-point rise in puberty awareness among boys. The findings underline the importance of inclusive and community-driven menstrual health education involving both girls and boys to build supportive attitudes toward menstruation.
As national conversations around menstrual equity continue to expand, the initiative highlights the importance of sustained awareness, education, and collaborative action in ensuring that menstruation is addressed through dignity, confidence, inclusivity, and equal opportunity rather than silence and stigma.
About Ujaas
Ujaas is a social initiative operating under the Aditya Birla Education Trust with a focus on menstrual health and hygiene management. The initiative works toward building awareness, challenging myths and stereotypes, and contributing to social development in the field of menstrual health and hygiene. Through awareness workshops and distribution of free sanitary products, Ujaas aims to create long-term social impact and inclusivity.
Guided by the principles of the Aditya Birla Education Trust, Ujaas believes sustainable social transformation begins at the grassroots level. Through collaborations, strategic partnerships, and community-focused initiatives, the programme continues to work toward improving the lives of underprivileged girls and communities across India.
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