Father-daughter duo helps 2 million women to fight period crisis through Facebook community

• Image Credit: Internet

• Dec 5, 2021 | moderator

Digital Desk: It all started when Arun Gupta's daughter reached out to him and shared her concerns over poor menstrual education. 

Gupta's daughter Khyati, 16-year-old, shared with his father that when Khyati reached out to help the daughter of her house help, who had a bloodstain on her dress, she understood that the girl had never used a sanitary napkin before. It is because they couldn't afford to buy them. Instead, they would use discarded pieces of unhygienic cloth every month throughout the cycle.

Arun shared, "I still remember the moment I felt how difficult it is for a girl to fight through her period cycle every month. I knew the struggle they had to go through. It was a moment of learning for both my daughter and me."

He added, "Khyati decided to use all her pocket money to purchase sanitary napkins for those who cannot afford them. She also started a campaign to encourage others to help her. Gradually, we have understood that the problem is deeper than it seems. So, we both were up for doing something in a broad perspective."

To bring a mass change, Arun started Pinkishe Foundation in 2017. This Delhi-based NGO works to fill the gap of access to menstrual sanitation. On the other hand, Khyati continued as the head of the youth wing to inspire youths to join the Pinkishe Movement.

"The lack of knowledge and awareness concerning the menstrual health and its consequences on women's health is the longest-running pandemic we have ever encountered, and a community-led approach is a plan to go on it," Arun stated.

The foundation includes around 2 lakh members across 50 branches in India. What started with two people is now a goodly family. This community collectively has changed the lives of more than 2 million women so far. This help and awareness were possible through Arjun's Facebook community.

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"Our purpose is to end period poverty in India, and Facebook has been crucial in this course. The reach that we have today, which is to millions of people, has been possible only because Facebook. Facebook as a platform has the potential to change and connect every part of the world," added Arun.

Pinkishe Foundation was chosen as one of the 13 brilliant communities from India to participate in the Facebook Community Accelerator Program 2021. 

So far, the foundation members have distributed over 2 million sanitary napkins across more than 17 states in India. 

"Even though I am one of the few men in this women-led organisation, we have come to realise that it is necessary to include boys and men into the awareness gatherings. Providing education to boys regarding menstrual health is necessary to pave the way towards change. Therefore, we have also started to take sessions with boys in 1,200 schools across India," shared Arun.

Arun and his foundation have brought a significant change for women to fight against the period crisis. They have transformed the lives of millions to draw a healthy lifestyle. 

(Story Credits: The Better India)