THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Jamshedpur, April 22: On the occasion of World Earth Day, a grassroots movement aimed at empowering adolescent girls and protecting the environment was launched in the Kolhan region of Jharkhand.
The Kolhan-level Menstrual Solidarity Initiative was inaugurated with a Menstrual Hygiene and Environmental Awareness Workshop at Upgraded Middle School, Gudabandha, in East Singhbhum’s remote Gudabandha block.
This initiative, a joint campaign by social organizations Nishchay Foundation, Project Bala, and QRG Foundation, seeks to raise awareness around menstrual hygiene, promote eco-friendly menstrual practices, and encourage environmental stewardship among young girls and women in rural communities.
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Reusable Pads Take Center Stage
At the heart of the campaign lies the effort to replace traditional disposable sanitary napkins with Project Bala’s reusable pads, which are both environment-friendly and economical.
During the launch event, adolescent girls from surrounding villages were educated about the science of menstruation, hormonal changes during adolescence, and the importance of proper hygiene and nutrition.
The workshop was conducted by Tarun Kumar, the founder of Nishchay Foundation, popularly known as the “Padman of Jharkhand.” He led an engaging and informative session on breaking menstrual taboos and empowering girls with the tools and knowledge to manage their periods safely and with dignity.
Environmental Commitment: A Tree for Every Pad
The girls also took a pledge to plant one tree for every reusable pad they received, thus combining menstrual health education with a strong message of environmental responsibility.
The program commenced with a welcome address by Assistant Teacher Nav Kumar Giri, who highlighted the challenges faced by adolescent girls in remote areas, including limited access to affordable and safe sanitary products. He emphasized the need for community-driven solutions to address these pressing issues.
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Panchayat representative Rekha Mandal joined the event and encouraged the girls by personally distributing reusable pads. She praised the initiative for addressing both public health and environmental concerns in a meaningful way.
The event was supported by school leadership, including Principal in Charge Jagdish Chandra Mahali, and a team of teachers—Nav Kumar Giri, Deepak Kumar Mangal, Anurag Pandey, Krishna Hansda, Vision Kumar Malik, and Kali Kinkar Bhuinya—who played key roles in organizing and facilitating the program.
Expansion Across Kolhan Division
The Menstrual Solidarity Initiative will continue across the Kolhan division, with over 70 workshops planned in schools and villages leading up to World Menstrual Hygiene Day next month.
The campaign is expected to reach more than 5,000 adolescent girls and women, equipping them not only with reusable pads, but also with a deeper understanding of menstrual health, reproductive rights, and environmental conservation.
