In India, menstruation has always been a topic cloaked in shame. One that is discussed with shame in hushed tones, behind closed doors, and especially at a safe distance from men.
Periods – a natural, biological process, are treated as something to be hidden, something to be ashamed of.

This silence is not without consequences.

Girls in rural areas are often made to miss school as they are menstruating. In the event that they go, schools often lack proper toilets and hygiene facilities to make their life easier. Menstruating women are made to sleep in period huts- which is often a crude structure with no light, no insulation, no sanitation facilities, and a bed of hay. They shiver through the cold, isolated from family, because tradition deems them impure.

Activities like entry to temples and touching people are forbidden. As is entering the kitchen.

These are not just stories. They are the realities of millions of women and girls across India. What’s worse is that this doesn’t end at cultural superstitions. It extends to poor period hygiene and the health issues that ensue as a result.

Over 70% of women in rural India rely on unhygienic alternatives like old rags, ash, or sand during their periods, putting their health and dignity at risk. Myths and misinformation add to the struggle. Girls are told not to bathe, not to look at the sun, or not to speak up. And all of this is upheld by one thing: silence.

Organizations like the Humjoli Foundation are working religiously to break this very pervasive silence. Based in Pune, Humjoli is challenging the stigma and rewriting the narrative around menstruation, especially in rural and underserved areas.

Through education, resources, and inclusion, they’re empowering menstruators to take control of their health and their stories.

So far, they’ve conducted over 1,000 awareness sessions, trained 750+ educators, and transformed the lives of 150,000+ people through their efforts. But their work isn’t just about numbers, it’s about dignity and hope.

Humjoli’s Initiatives

• Project Shamta gives women the knowledge they need to understand their bodies, practice better hygiene, and make informed choices.
• Project Jagruti works with schoolgirls, equipping them with confidence, menstrual hygiene kits, and a sense of pride in their identity.
• Project Prakash aur Pani transforms period huts, adding solar lighting and access to clean water so that even outdated practices don’t strip women of basic dignity.
• Project Niramay brings health consultations, mobile dental care, and cancer screenings to rural communities.

Organizations like Humjoli Foundation are doing the hard work, but they can’t do it alone. The revolution needs all of us- talking, sharing, supporting, and achieving.

Change isn’t easy. But every girl who stays in school, every woman who feels proud of her body, and every menstruator who has access to hygiene is a victory.
Watch the full story today, and explore how you could contribute towards achieving more such victories.