For many women in rural Maharashtra, menstruation remains a source of stigma, isolation, and health risks. In villages like Akoli, Borsheti, Nihe, and Katale (Palghar district), women continue to struggle with limited access to clean menstrual cloth, private changing spaces, and basic hygiene facilities.
Under Goonj’s Not Just a Piece of Cloth (NJPC) initiative, over 200 women gathered for Chuppi Todo Baithaks (Break the Silence Meetings)—safe spaces where they could openly discuss menstruation, share their experiences, and challenge harmful taboos.
Women Attending Goonj’s NJPC Awareness Session in Palghar
The Hidden Struggles of Menstruators in Rural India
A participant shared:
“When I menstruate, I have to use a separate bed, plate, and water pot. I’m not allowed to touch the well and must collect water from puddles.”
For many women in these villages, menstruation is not just a biological process—it is a monthly ordeal filled with restrictions, inadequate sanitation, and a lack of safe menstrual products.
Key Challenges Identified:
- Social stigma & exclusion—Women are often segregated during menstruation.
- Lack of menstrual products—Many rely on scraps of cloth, increasing the risk of infections.
- No private spaces—Women working in agricultural fields struggle to find places to change.
- Limited water access—Some are denied access to wells, forcing them to collect water from unsanitary sources.
Through NJPC’s awareness sessions, these women found their voices, realizing that menstruation is not shameful but a natural part of life.
Providing Dignity Through MY Pads & Local Action
At the end of each session, women received Goonj’s MY Pad Kits—biodegradable cloth pads made from urban surplus fabric, ensuring a safe, reusable, and affordable menstrual hygiene solution.
Beyond just providing menstrual products, NJPC’s long-term impact focuses on:
- Building private bathing areas to ensure menstrual hygiene.
- Encouraging kitchen gardens to improve nutrition for menstruating women.
- Strengthening local waste disposal systems to handle menstrual waste sustainably.
One participant recalled:
“When I got my first period, I was scared because my mother had never told me about menstruation. I had no one to talk to, so I used whatever I could find to stop the bleeding.”
For many, these meetings were the first time they could speak openly about menstruation—transforming their fear and shame into awareness and confidence.
Empowering Women with Safe Menstrual Hygiene Solutions
Scaling Impact Through Goonj’s NJPC Initiative
Why NJPC Matters:
- Empowering rural women through education & open discussions.
- Providing sustainable menstrual hygiene products to remote communities.
- Challenging deep-rooted menstrual myths & taboos.
For over a decade, Goonj has worked to mainstream menstruation as a human issue, reaching thousands of women across India.
Breaking Myths: Women Engaging in Open Dialogue on Menstruation
Be a Part of the Change
Our invitation to you is, start from where you are.. From a small change of starting a Goonj kee Gullak or Team 5000, joining a long and deep change process, or things in between- organising a collection drive, a volunteering journey, an internship, or simply walking with us signing for a Goonj monthly newsletter subscription.. More on www.goonj.org or write to [email protected].
Many options, but the choice is always one; Taking Action..
#Goonj #NJPC #ChuppiTodo #MenstrualHygiene #BreakTheSilence #DignityForWomen #SustainablePeriods
