• Ujaas, an initiative of Aditya Birla Education Trust works in the space of Menstrual health and hygiene management awareness and distributes sanitary napkins with a mission to end period poverty in India
• Intern doctors part of ASMI, Mumbai joined hands with Ujaas to spread awareness on menstrual health and hygiene and pledged to conduct awareness workshops in schools along with Ujaas team

Ujaas, an initiative by Aditya Birla Education Trust, and the Association of State Medical Interns (ASMI), Maharashtra, have partnered to promote menstrual health and hygiene awareness. This collaborative effort extends beyond their medical practice to include workshops conducted in schools across Mumbai. By taking this pledge, medical experts are committed to actively educating their patients about menstrual hygiene, dispelling myths, and fostering open dialogue on this important topic. The “Let’s Normalize Menstrual Hygiene in India” pledge is part of a yearlong campaign spanning Maharashtra, with the aim of raising awareness among girls aged 12 to 15 years about menstrual health and hygiene.

Understanding the significance of early education in shaping healthy habits, the intern doctors associated with ASMI will deliver educational workshops and conduct interactive sessions organised by Ujaas to empower young girls and boys with knowledge about menstrual hygiene across Maharashtra.

Dr. Ninad Pawar, President, Association of State Medical Interns, Maharashtra mentioned, “It is concerning that in the city of Mumbai, we still hear of incidents where a girl child lost her life over a mere misunderstanding by her family member. We believe that through education and open conversations, we can empower women and eliminate the stigma surrounding menstruation. We are glad to join forces with a like-minded organisation Ujaas that has been spearheading such crucial information in the most impactful manner possible all over Maharashtra.”

Advaitesha Birla, Sociopreneur & Founder of Ujaas, expressed, “We are deeply honoured to unite with Association of State Medical Interns (ASMI), to collectively generate sustainable and enduring influence on menstrual health education and support systems. With this collaboration doctors across Maharashtra Associated with ASMI will now join us to drive conversation on Menstrual health and Hygiene management, Our ultimate goal is to ensure that every woman receives the care and attention she rightfully deserves. At Ujaas, we aim to create a society where menstrual health is prioritised, stigma is eliminated, and every woman receives the care and attention she rightfully deserves.”

At the grassroots, Ujaas works in 10 districts of Maharashtra – including Mumbai, Thane, Amravati, Washim, Yavatmal, Jalna, Sangli, Satara, Pune, Palgrah. In a span of one and a half year, 4387 awareness sessions have been conducted, covering 523 schools and over 24 lakh sanitary napkins, have been distributed in the communities. The organisation continues to bring change in the psyche of every person they meet and work on the macro level to bring about societal change.