In the quiet villages and overlooked communities of rural India, a silent struggle continues every month—the struggle for menstrual dignity. Girls miss school. Women suffer in silence. Old rags, ashes, and even newspapers are used in place of sanitary pads. But change is possible—and it’s already begun.
Through our flagship campaign Pad The Way, the Nitish Sahay Foundation is working to transform how rural India understands, accesses, and talks about menstrual health.
The Challenge: Myths, Stigma, and Lack of Access
Menstruation in rural India is often surrounded by taboos, shame, and silence. Girls are told not to enter temples, kitchens, or even sleep in the same house. They’re made to feel “impure” for something entirely natural.
But it’s not just the stigma—it’s the lack of access. Many villages have no access to affordable sanitary products, no menstrual education, and no safe disposal systems. This leads to infections, school dropouts, and low self-esteem.
Our Intervention: Awareness, Access, and Action
Pad The Way is not just a distribution drive—it’s a movement for dignity and education. Here’s how we’re creating impact:
- Free Sanitary Pad Distribution: We’ve provided lakhs of pads to schoolgirls, tribal women, and underserved families.
- Health & Hygiene Workshops: Interactive, culturally sensitive sessions bust myths and explain the science behind periods.
- Community Engagement: We train local women as “Menstrual Health Ambassadors”—they become educators and changemakers in their villages.
- Involving Men & Boys: We believe change won’t come until men and boys are part of the conversation. Our workshops include them too.
- Eco-Friendly Solutions: Where possible, we promote reusable pads and sustainable disposal practices to protect health and the environment.
Real Stories, Real Change
In one of our centres in Bihar, a young girl named Priya had stopped going to school after her first period. She was afraid and uninformed. After attending our session and receiving regular pads, she’s back in school, confidently attending class even during her cycle. Her smile is our success.
The Road Ahead
Transforming menstrual health in rural India isn’t easy—but it’s necessary. It requires patience, empathy, and grassroots connection. Pad The Way is just the beginning. We envision a future where every girl can manage her period safely, hygienically, and with pride—regardless of where she lives.
Because when we pad the way, we pave the path to equality, health, and empowerment.
#PadTheWay #MenstrualDignity #NitishSahayFoundation #RuralHealth #PeriodPositiveIndia
