Hyderabad, May 28, 2026:Youngistaan Foundation marked Menstrual Hygiene Day 2026 by bringing together healthcare professionals, artists, innovators, entrepreneurs, WASH experts, government stakeholders, and youth leaders for an evening of dialogue, performances, and conversations focused on menstrual health, dignity, and breaking stigma.
The event created a platform to discuss the evolving menstrual health landscape in Telangana and across India, while encouraging open conversations around menstruation, access, hygiene, policy, and climate-conscious solutions.
As part of its Gender and Health initiatives, Youngistaan Foundation has been working extensively on menstrual health and hygiene awareness since 2016. Over the years, the organization’s interventions have evolved from awareness sessions to improving access to menstrual products, strengthening WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) infrastructure, and advocating for dignified menstrual health management in schools and communities.
Through these interventions, the organization has impacted over 1.5 million girls with menstrual health and hygiene awareness programs. Internal assessments indicate that 93% of participants demonstrated improved menstrual hygiene behaviours, while 55% began actively tracking their menstrual cycles after the sessions. Under its sustainability campaign, “Changing Habits, Changing the World,” Youngistaan Foundation has also promoted environmentally responsible menstrual waste management through the installation and use of high-temperature 850-degree sanitary pad incinerators, helping prevent thousands of sanitary pads from reaching landfills.
The first panel discussion, “The Future of Menstrual Health: Leadership, Policy & Action,” explored menstrual health through the lens of policy, public health systems, and WASH infrastructure. Discussions focused on menstrual health services within the public health system, gaps between policy and implementation, and the role of sanitation infrastructure in ensuring menstrual dignity and health outcomes.
The panel featured:
* Dr. Priyanka, Medical Officer, UPHC, Department of Public Health and Family Welfare
* Dr. Santoshi Gollapalli, MBBS, MS, FMAS, DMAS, Care Hospitals, Banjara Hills
* Ravi Kumar, Director – Business Development and Partnerships, Hashtag PerCapita & WASH Professional
The session was moderated by Ruthvika Kavuru, Manager – Operations and Projects, Youngistaan Foundation.
The second panel discussion, “Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Climate-Conscious Menstrual Solutions,” focused on emerging menstrual health innovations, sustainable menstrual products, behavioural change communication, and community-driven approaches to menstrual health management.
The panel featured:
* Harini Muppalla, Founder & Director, Palasah Manufacturers
* Devidutta Dash, Founder & CEO, LemmeBe
* Yellamaty Arun Daniel Kumar, Founder & Director, Youngistaan Foundation
The session was moderated by Vani Buddhavarapu, Program Manager, Telangana Innovation Cell (TGIC).
The event also featured artistic and cultural performances aimed at normalizing conversations around menstruation, gender, dignity, and bodily autonomy. Performances included slam poetry by Piyush Jaiswal, stand-up comedy by Kiran Barthwal, performances by Sushma Chitta, rap performances by X Gang, and an open mic session where participants shared personal stories and reflections.
Close to 150 participants attended the event, including students, educators, healthcare professionals, entrepreneurs, social sector representatives, and members of the public.
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About Youngistaan Foundation
Youngistaan Foundation is one of India’s largest grassroots volunteer-driven non-profit organizations working across education, gender, health, livelihoods, climate action, hunger relief, youth engagement, and community development. Since 2014, the organization has impacted over 5 million lives across 60+ cities with the support of 70,000+ volunteers and collaborations with schools, institutions, governments, and 200+ partners across the country.
