By Shaheena Mannasaheb
Supported By Persistent Foundation
We live in the 21st century, an age of rapid progress and openness. Yet some subjects continue to remain uncomfortable for many people. One such topic is menstruation. Although it is a natural biological process, many still hesitate to talk about it. As a result, many girls learn about it only when they experience their first period. This lack of early awareness often brings fear, confusion, and unnecessary worry.
CYDA believes menstruation should be discussed openly and scientifically. To support adolescents, the team introduced Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) workshops in schools.
Saanvi, a 13-year-old girl from MIBK School in Goa, faced the same difficulty. She is a bright student and active in many school activities. She has not yet had her first period, so the topic felt new and uncomfortable for her. When the facilitator asked the class what they knew about menstruation, Saanvi looked down and stayed quiet. She only knew a few confusing things from her friends, which made her more nervous. At home, no one spoke about it. Slowly, fear and embarrassment began to grow inside her.
One day, CYDA conducted an MHM workshop in her school. When Saanvi heard about it, she felt nervous. She wondered if someone might laugh at her questions. After the facilitators created a safe and comfortable environment, she slowly gathered the courage to speak and shared that she often felt scared and unsure about the topic. Before the session, the facilitators conducted a pre-assessment to gauge students’ knowledge of menstruation. They found that Saanvi’s awareness was 35%, her understanding of hygiene was 40%, and her confidence to talk about menstruation was only 30%.
The facilitators made the session simple and friendly. They used games, drawings, and small group activities. They began with a clear message: “Menstruation is natural. Every girl experiences it. There is nothing to be ashamed of.” For the first time, Saanvi felt relaxed. A question box was kept in the room so students could ask their doubts without revealing their names.
During the session, Saanvi learnt what happens inside the body during menstruation. She realised that it is a normal biological process. She enjoyed the practical demonstration the most and learnt how to use and dispose of sanitary pads safely. She also learned that rest, clean habits, and good nutrition are important during these periods. Slowly, she started raising her hand. Initially, she hesitated, but soon she gained confidence and began asking her questions.
After the workshop, Saanvi felt informed and comfortable. Her awareness about MHM rose to 95%. Her hygiene knowledge reached 90% and her confidence increased to 85%. This was a major improvement of 50–60%. She began sharing her learning with her friends. Her teachers also noticed a positive change in her behaviour. Seeing this response, the school decided to start regular MHM discussion circles. One afternoon, Saanvi shared something that touched everyone. While talking about menstruation, she said, “Earlier, I was scared. Now I know it is natural. I feel ready and confident.”
A teacher shared, “The session helped our girls understand the topic scientifically and without fear. We can see a clear change in how they talk about menstruation now.” This is how a shy girl found her voice. With knowledge, support, and a safe space, Saanvi stepped into a new chapter of her life- free from fear and full of confidence.
