Naamra a 20-year-old, who dropped out of college during her 2nd year had attended a menstrual hygiene management session with the Myna Mahila Foundation last year, where she learned gender attitudes, menstrual hygiene management and reproductive health. She was extremely inquisitive about gender roles, her place in the society as a young woman and she was eager to learn more about her body and menstruation.
She informed her trainer at Myna, about one of her close friends, who was stuck in an abusive marriage and was subjected to domestic and intimate violence by her husband. Naamra’s friend could only share her experiences with her but wasn’t able to walk out of her marriage due to financial dependency and societal pressures. Naamra was now keen to understand how she would manage under the same circumstances as her friend’s once she got married and if she would be able to support herself.
“How would my life be different once I got married? Will I also have to obey my husband’s needs and stay with him if he hits me?”
At Myna, Naamra found a safe space to ask these questions related to safe sex, pregnancy, menstrual hygiene, gender roles and sexual and domestic violence. Growing up, she was never given any instructions on how to manage periods, or what happens when you have sex or any kind of health and body awareness as it is still considered a taboo in most Indian cultures and societies till date. At these education sessions, Naamra was given menstrual hygiene management training, important life skills and also personal counselling.
She says, “I was unsure of what I would do, if I got married in an abusive household and if I would be able to walk out. But my trainer at Myna Dr. Shraddha Kapile told me, if I completed my Graduation, pursued a career and took care of my health, I will be stronger and more financially independent. After attending these sessions, I now know why it is important to use sanitary napkins, the importance of physical and financial independence. I will now study to complete my degree and become independent in all aspects of my life.”
With a better understanding of gender attitudes and roles, these girls are made aware of their bodies, their rights and empowered to make their own decisions and live more independently. It makes it easier for them to communicate within their families, educate them and make more informed decisions in their personal lives.
Naamra is currently completing her third year in college and aspires to become an independent woman. She also conducts MHM and health training sessions on a part-time basis with the organization and educates other girls from her community.
Myna Mahila Foundation (MMF) is a social enterprise based in Mumbai’s Govandi slums that works towards improving menstrual hygiene, employing women from low-income families, and building women’s networks. MMF aims to improve menstrual hygiene access and shifting behaviours for 2 million women and girls in India by 2025.
Their new initiative #PledgeAPeriod aims to increase access to women’s health-related products, create awareness and bring attitudinal change for vulnerable girls like Naamra in the urban slums of Mumbai and beyond.
To read more about the cause and to donate click here.