Siya Foundation – the work goes on for gender equality

TISB Grade 10 student, Brinda living in Surat, Gujarat, has since this year been working with young women from underprivileged communities to improve their health and overcome the stigma associated with menstruation. This is being done in two ways; firstly by distributing personal health kits to young women, and secondly through online health awareness classes with the teenage girls to inform them about the facts behind menstruation.

Menstruation is a topic considered to be a taboo in Indian society, and I wanted disadvantaged women to feel comfortable with the natural process that happens in their bodies – Brinda, Grade 10

For a long time Brinda has been passionate about issues related to gender equality, and while the whole country went into lockdown she started the Siya Foundation to promote health and hygiene for girls and young women during that important time of the month. “Currently it is targeting the disadvantaged women and girls in Surat, where I live. I go to slum areas and distribute the kits. Wherever I find internet connection, I conduct online lessons”, says Brinda.

The health kits provide the recipients with their hygiene supplies that will last between one and two years. “This saves a lot of money for them, and doesn’t restrict them from being hygienic and safe during the time”, says Brinda. The cloth pads provided are sustainable and environmentally friendly, and each pad can last up to 100 washes. “It will ensure that they don’t have to revert to conservative practices”, explains Brinda, who have now distributed over 50 health kits. Each health kit contains: 3 reusable cloth pads, 5 tablets for cramps, 1 hand sanitizer, 1 mask, 1 Body soap and 1 Detergent cake.

Other than distributing health kits, Brinda has conducted online classes with 25 girls. The health classes are focused on teenage girls, and to combat stigma by informing them about the science behind the menstrual cycle and the misleading myths associated with it. “In these classes, we talk about each other’s first periods, the science behind the cycle, and how to make a sanitary napkin”, explains Brinda. 

To continue and spread her efforts, Brinda has raised awareness through social media, raised 40,000 INR in funds, and is now planning on expanding operations and attract more volunteers to reach more girls and young women in other parts of the country. “So far, it has just been me working alone”, says Brinda. “For this project to expand I need a few volunteers, and I think TISB students would be the most reliable to carry this forward in their respective residential areas”, she concludes.

Do you want to get involved? Donate through the Siya Foundation’s Impact Guru site. 
Get updates, or get in touch by visiting the Siya Foundation’s Instagram profile.