Gurugram, 6th September 2024 — In an effort to address menstrual health inequities in Delhi NCR, the Artemis Health Sciences Foundation and Pinkishe Foundation have announced a significant partnership. Today, the two organizations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch “Project Her Comfort”, an initiative aimed at improving menstrual health and hygiene for women and girls in underserved areas and urban slums across the region.

Project Her Comfort represents a concerted effort to tackle the pressing issues surrounding menstrual health among underprivileged communities. By addressing educational disruptions, health risks, and entrenched social stigmas associated with menstruation, this initiative seeks to foster empowerment, education, and dignity for women and girls.

Despite menstruation being a natural and integral part of the female reproductive system, many women and girls in India face significant challenges due to cultural taboos, lack of awareness, and inadequate access to sanitary products. Studies reveal that about 70% of girls perceive menstruation as impure, and nearly half experience shame related to their periods. This pervasive stigma often leads to educational disruptions, health risks, and a cycle of misinformation.

In India, a staggering 71% of girls lack prior knowledge about menstruation before their first period. Many resort to unhygienic alternatives due to the absence of sanitary products, which increases their risk of infections. Furthermore, only 12% of menstruating women have access to sanitary napkins, and over 23 million girls drop out of school each year due to insufficient menstrual hygiene management facilities.

Project Her Comfort is designed to bridge these gaps by offering comprehensive menstrual health education and providing essential menstrual kits. The initiative will run for six months, from October 2024 to March 2025, with a budget of INR 1,195,020. Each beneficiary will receive a kit including high-quality sanitary pads, panties, sanitizers, and an informative booklet.

It will focus on several key areas to address menstrual health inequities. It will provide comprehensive menstrual health education through targeted sessions on hygiene management, ensuring that women and girls gain crucial knowledge about managing their menstrual cycles. In addition to educational efforts, the project will distribute menstrual kits containing high-quality sanitary products, thereby improving access to hygienic materials. To further enhance menstrual health, the initiative will promote proper hygiene and safety practices, including the correct disposal of menstrual products. Lastly, Project Her Comfort aims to create a supportive environment by fostering open discussions about menstruation, working to reduce the stigma and taboos that often surround this natural process.

Shalini Kanwar Chand, President, Artemis Health Sciences Foundation, shared, Social responsibility is deeply ingrained in Artemis’s values. Our mission, ‘Nurturing Life,’ extends beyond the walls of our hospital, reflecting our commitment to creating positive change. Through Project Her Comfort, we aim to enhance menstrual health practices and empower women and girls in Delhi NCR.

Project Her Comfort embodies our commitment to nurturing life through empowerment and education. By addressing the critical gaps in menstrual health and hygiene for underprivileged communities, we are not only providing essential resources but also fostering a culture of dignity and openness. This initiative reflects our core values of social responsibility, aiming to create lasting positive change and bridge the disparities in menstrual health awareness and access. We believe that every woman and girl deserves the right to manage her menstrual health with confidence and respect, she added.

Ms. Shalini Gupta, from Pinkishe Foundation added, our goal is to end period poverty by advocating for menstrual literacy, launching campaigns, and making sustainable menstrual products accessible and affordable. With our target of educating 100 million girls on menstrual hygiene by 2035, Project Her Comfort is a crucial step towards achieving this vision.

Project Her Comfort is more than a temporary intervention; it is a step towards lasting change. By combining education, access to resources, and community engagement, the initiative aspires to create enduring improvements in menstrual health practices and attitudes.

The project not only addresses immediate needs but also lays the foundation for long-term change, promoting a culture of respect and dignity for women and girls. With a focus on sustainability, the initiative aims to instill practices that will benefit future generations, breaking the cycle of stigma and inequality.