Soumya Dabriwal, a University of Warwick alumna, is challenging one of India's most deep-seated issues—the stigma surrounding menstruation. In a nation where the mere mention of this natural process is cloaked in silence and shame, Soumya is leading a transformative movement to dismantle cultural taboos and promote menstrual health awareness and education.
In India, cultural and social norms have long perpetuated the idea that menstruation is impure, a topic only whispered about behind closed doors. This pervasive stigma has far-reaching consequences, including the exclusion of women from daily life during their periods.
"Some women are banned from staying in their homes during menstruation, forced instead to sleep in cow sheds or other makeshift accommodations," explains Soumya. "There are also dietary restrictions, and it's a subject cloaked in secrecy.
"The reality in India is dire: 71% of adolescent girls are unaware of menstruation until their first period, and 23% drop out of school when they hit puberty. These numbers only scratch the surface of the challenges faced by millions of menstruators in India."
Soumya Dabriwal's work is a direct challenge to these entrenched beliefs and practices. Her initiatives include:
Education: Advocating for comprehensive menstrual health education in rural India to debunk myths and provide accurate information.
Community Engagement: Establishing safe spaces for open conversations about menstruation, challenging stigmas, and promoting access to sanitary products.
Sustainable Solutions: Providing eco-friendly, reusable, and affordable sanitary pads to rural women and girls.
Economic Empowerment: Training local advocates to educate others about menstrual health and sell sustainable products, offering them a supplementary income.
Soumya's dedication to this cause is a testament to the University of Warwick's commitment to fostering positive change. Her efforts not only empower women and girls but also spark global conversations about menstrual health.
About Soumya: During her time at the University of Warwick, Soumya volunteered in rural India and Ghana, where she witnessed the shared struggles related to menstrual hygiene.
Alarmed by the fact that girls were missing school and resorting to unhygienic alternatives like cloth rags, Soumya launched a social initiative.
Supported by the Lord Rootes Award, this initiative has grown into a social enterprise with projects in four countries. Since 2017, Baala has distributed 1.8 million reusable pads and conducted over 5,000 awareness workshops, reaching 820,000 women and girls in India, Ghana, Nepal, and Tanzania.
