In Deulbari Debipur, a village in South 24 Parganas, West Bengal, menstruation has long been surrounded by silence and stigma. For generations, conversations about periods have remained hidden, leaving young girls and women to navigate their menstrual health without guidance or open dialogue.
For Tuktuki Sk (31), her first period was a moment of confusion and fear. At 12, she was handed a piece of cloth by her mother—without explanation, without discussion. Like many others, she once believed that if her husband saw her menstrual cloth, it could bring him harm.
However, change begins when conversations start.
A Safe Space to Talk: ‘Chuppi Todo Baithak’ (Break the Silence Meeting)
Breaking the silence – A community discussion on menstrual health
During one of Goonj’s Chuppi Todo Baithaks, an initiative to normalise conversations around menstruation, Tuktuki shared her experience for the first time. With local volunteer Dipa Sarder and the Goonj team, the village came together to discuss menstrual health, sustainable practices, and community-driven solutions.
Through Goonj’s Not Just a Piece of Cloth (NJPC) initiative, Tuktuki is now part of a growing movement that challenges taboos and promotes dignity in menstrual health.
She now teaches her daughter how to manage periods with confidence. She recognizes clean cotton cloth as an affordable and accessible option. She embraces Goonj’s MY Pad pack—reusable cloth pads, undergarments, and an information leaflet—ensuring safe menstrual hygiene.
Tuktuki shares:
“Menstruation is not something to hide. I want my daughter to grow up with knowledge, not fear.”
Beyond Tuktuki’s Story: Menstrual Health as a Community Effort
Through NJPC, urban surplus cloth is repurposed into reusable menstrual products, ensuring access to safe, sustainable, and eco-friendly solutions. But the impact doesn’t stop at menstruation—these materials are also used in rural development initiatives like:
- Building bridges
- Cleaning water bodies
- Enabling education and disaster relief efforts
At Goonj, every piece of cloth carries the power to create change.
A step towards dignity – Women embracing reusable cloth pads
Be part of this movement
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..
