Hyderabad, 3rd June 2025: On the occasion of World Menstrual Hygiene Day, Youngistaan Foundation, in collaboration with the Telangana State Cooperative Women Development Corporation, Telangana Government Innovation Cell (TGIC), and Charcha, successfully hosted the 5th edition of the annual event “Break the Silence for a #PeriodFriendlyWorld” at Charcha, Miyapur.
The event aims to dismantle stigma, foster open conversations around menstruation, and celebrate collective action towards creating an inclusive, period-friendly society.
A Powerful Blend of Art and Advocacy
The event featured an engaging lineup of performances by renowned slam poets, musicians, comedians, and storytellers, including Shushma Chitta, Piyush Jaiswal, Kiran Barthwal, Ammarah Ishaq, Rahul Rathore, Vividhā, Terry and Ray, and X Gang. These artists creatively combined art with advocacy to educate and empower audiences on menstrual health and hygiene.
Expert Insights and Community Voices
Dr. Prathyusha Kolachana, Obstetrician, Gynaecologist, and Laparoscopic Surgeon at Care Hospitals, Banjara Hills, delivered some key messages during her fireside chat. Speaking passionately about women’s health, she emphasised the importance of education and empathy around menstruation.
“Periods are a natural process and must not be seen as impure blood, a misconception that fuels harmful taboos,” Dr. Prathyusha said. “Every individual deserves access to hygienic resources, education, and dignity.”
Youth Panel: From Purpose to Practice
A panel discussion titled “From Purpose to Practice: Youth Journeys in Menstrual Education” featured volunteers from Youngistaan Foundation sharing their inspiring stories. They spoke about their motivations to volunteer, balancing advocacy with college life, and the realities of conducting menstrual health sessions in urban and peri-urban areas.
The volunteers also discussed challenges faced on the ground and strategies to overcome them, leaving the audience deeply inspired. Their work includes raising awareness through a participatory approach, providing need-based menstrual hygiene kits, and engaging with other youth in advocating for normalising conversations around periods.
Creating Period-Friendly Spaces in Schools
Beyond menstrual education, Youngistaan Foundation is actively creating menstrual health ambassadors in schools who advocate for menstrual and general health among their peers. In partnership with government bodies, the Foundation has also installed sanitary napkin incinerators in schools. These incinerators, developed by a homegrown startup, safely burn sanitary napkins at controlled temperatures of 850°C, promoting hygienic and climate-friendly disposal.
These efforts ensure adolescent girls have safe, private, and hygienic access to menstrual support facilities, including period-friendly toilets. The foundation is now expanding its work by collaborating with nationwide collective groups to develop modules for adolescent boys, educating them about puberty and including them in the conversation around menstrual health.
A Statewide Impact
Since 2016, Youngistaan Foundation’s menstrual health education initiatives have reached over 1 million girls across rural, tribal, and urban marginalised communities nationwide.
“Menstrual health is a human right, not a privilege,” said Yellamaty Arun Daniel Kumar, Founder of Youngistaan Foundation. “Our mission is to build a period-friendly world through education, accessible menstrual health services, period products, and safe facilities. When young people lead the change, real transformation happens.”
Call to Action: Volunteer With Us
Join the movement to build a #PeriodFriendlyWorld.
Become a changemaker, volunteer with us today by registering at www.youngistaanfoundation.org
