The Siya Foundation - Breaking Stigmas and Saving Lives

Overcoming the stigma associated with the menstrual cycle, while promoting health and safety among young girls from socially challenged communities.

TISB student, Brinda Laddha in Grade 10, recently started an initiative called 'Siya Foundation'. It is a campaign to help disadvantaged girls to overcome the stigma associated with the menstrual cycle. It strives to educate young girls about menstruation, as well as to ensure that they bleed safer by giving out health and hygiene kits.

Each heath kit distributed includes a sanitizer, mask, three cloth pads, cramp tablets, body soap, detergent cake and two pair of underwear.

Brinda also conducts online sessions for young girls to teach them about the science behind the cycle, breaking the associated stigma. The online sessions also includes instructions on how to make one's own sanitary napkins.

The first batch of girls have conducted online lessons and health kits have been distributed. Now the second round of the initiative is underway. To make this happen, the Siya Foundation have been raising funds through crowd funding and other means. Currently the initiative is also looking for dedicated and driven volunteers to help out with the cause; to gear up and reach out in and around their communities and residential areas. 

To read more, follow the development of the initiative, and see how you can get involved visit the Siya Foundation's Instagram page (opens in a new window).