Pune: Ujaas, an initiative of the Aditya Birla Education Trust led by Advaitesha Birla, in collaboration with Pimpri Chinchwad Education Trust, has transformed art into a medium for menstrual health awareness. Over 1,000 students and volunteers painted murals on the college’s outer walls, turning them into symbols of education, empowerment, and change.
Despite Pune’s status as an educational hub, many rural and semi-urban communities continue to struggle with menstrual stigma, misinformation, and lack of access to hygiene products, forcing young girls to miss school. This initiative leverages creative expression to foster open dialogue, ensuring that menstrual health is recognized, accepted, and supported in society.
The impact of menstrual stigma extends beyond students to migrant sugarcane workers on Pune’s outskirts, where limited awareness and access to sanitary products lead to unhygienic practices and serious health concerns. Similarly, adolescent girls in neighboring villages often face lack of knowledge and deep-rooted taboos that prevent them from discussing menstruation openly.
So far, Ujaas has positively influenced 15,593 students in Pune, shifting mindsets and ensuring that menstrual health is no longer a barrier to education or dignity.
Advaitesha Birla, Founder of Ujaas, highlighted the importance of youth-led change: "Menstrual myths and taboos continue to hold back countless girls, restricting their opportunities. To break this cycle, we must engage the youth—the changemakers of tomorrow. I envision an India where no girl suffers due to her period, and where she can pursue her dreams without barriers.”
Poonam Patkar, Head of Ujaas, emphasized the urgent need for awareness, pointing out that 71% of adolescent girls in India remain unaware of menstruation until they experience their first period, leaving them unprepared and bound by societal restrictions.