<p>Schoolgirls, especially those from rural India can now dial a toll-free helpline to get their queries on menstruation answered thanks to an uncoming project that aims to raise awareness on the subject.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The helpline is part of an extensive project by Azadi, a US-based startup working in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh to raise awareness about the overlooked but urgent issue related to a woman's reproductive rights.<br /><br />"We will be launching a toll-free 'Menstrual Helpline' and school awareness program so that young adolescents can get their queries answered," Dhirendra Pratap Singh, Cofounder and CEO at Azadi said.<br /><br />Singh was a participant at a collaborative event 'Bejhijhak' organised here today to celebrate the first global Menstrual Hygiene Day and instigate collective action on menstruation.<br /><br />"Menstrual hygiene is dear to all women. This is the first time in a woman's life when she comes face to face with the first reproductive right of hers," said Neelam Singh, a gynecologist and a participant at the seminar.<br /><br />Singh pointed out that taboos on the issue leads to pernicious stigmas on menstruating girls and women.<br /><br />"These include restrictions on entering the kitchen, touching food, touching boys and other people, going to the temple, and playing outside," Singh said.<br /><br />In India, stakeholders say, menstruation management has become a crisis of huge proportions owning to the prevailing "culture of silence" around it.<br /><br />"The culture of silence and ignorance plagues 335 million menstruating girls and women in India of which 113 are adolescents," according to a factsheet presented at the event.<br /><br />Badminton player Ashwini Ponnappa, who was a keynote speaker at the event spoke about how taboos around menstruation can disempower and marginalise women and girls.<br /><br />"I joined the Menstrual Hygiene Day initiative because I want women and girls to feel more comfortable and confident about the whole process so that they can reach their full potential. I think Bejhijhak is a great initiative that, I believe, will help clear up misconceptions," Ponnappa said.<br /><br />Sh cheered a group of young girls who presented a street play focusing on the taboo around menstrual cycle.<br /><br />A 'Gallery Walk' showcasing educational tools, innovative menstrual management products and business models, as well as research and statistics from the field was also put up at the event</p>
<p>Schoolgirls, especially those from rural India can now dial a toll-free helpline to get their queries on menstruation answered thanks to an uncoming project that aims to raise awareness on the subject.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The helpline is part of an extensive project by Azadi, a US-based startup working in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh to raise awareness about the overlooked but urgent issue related to a woman's reproductive rights.<br /><br />"We will be launching a toll-free 'Menstrual Helpline' and school awareness program so that young adolescents can get their queries answered," Dhirendra Pratap Singh, Cofounder and CEO at Azadi said.<br /><br />Singh was a participant at a collaborative event 'Bejhijhak' organised here today to celebrate the first global Menstrual Hygiene Day and instigate collective action on menstruation.<br /><br />"Menstrual hygiene is dear to all women. This is the first time in a woman's life when she comes face to face with the first reproductive right of hers," said Neelam Singh, a gynecologist and a participant at the seminar.<br /><br />Singh pointed out that taboos on the issue leads to pernicious stigmas on menstruating girls and women.<br /><br />"These include restrictions on entering the kitchen, touching food, touching boys and other people, going to the temple, and playing outside," Singh said.<br /><br />In India, stakeholders say, menstruation management has become a crisis of huge proportions owning to the prevailing "culture of silence" around it.<br /><br />"The culture of silence and ignorance plagues 335 million menstruating girls and women in India of which 113 are adolescents," according to a factsheet presented at the event.<br /><br />Badminton player Ashwini Ponnappa, who was a keynote speaker at the event spoke about how taboos around menstruation can disempower and marginalise women and girls.<br /><br />"I joined the Menstrual Hygiene Day initiative because I want women and girls to feel more comfortable and confident about the whole process so that they can reach their full potential. I think Bejhijhak is a great initiative that, I believe, will help clear up misconceptions," Ponnappa said.<br /><br />Sh cheered a group of young girls who presented a street play focusing on the taboo around menstrual cycle.<br /><br />A 'Gallery Walk' showcasing educational tools, innovative menstrual management products and business models, as well as research and statistics from the field was also put up at the event</p>