THE PROBLEM

When it comes to personal health & hygiene - those who menstruate are facing the brunt of the pandemic. People from low-income backgrounds have been facing a massive menstrual hygiene crisis due to the pandemic. At a time when personal hygiene is of utmost importance, the need for hygienic means to manage periods is all the more crucial. The only source of sanitary napkins for most school-going menstruators was from government schemes that supply them through govt. schools, which remain closed. Similarly, minimum wage daily labourers & those from poor homes are unable to afford sanitary napkins as they suddenly have no or very less income. This leads to them using unhygienic methods like paper, rags, etc. which could result in UTIs and a hoard of other health issues.

THE SOLUTION

RutuChakra has so far distributed over 132,800+ menstrual products helping over 8000+ menstruators, with over 70,800+ products distributed in response to the coronavirus pandemic. By providing menstrual products, RutuChakra is able to ensure that menstruators have a safe and hygienic period thereby reducing the risk of infections and other detrimental effects on a menstruator’s health. 

• Each kit is unique as they will contain 4 reusable sanitary napkins (that will last 2 years & are very environmentally friendly and take up less space) & 2 cotton panties. 
• It will be distributed in Bengaluru. 
• This is being done in partnership with The Rotary Bangalore Indiranagar. 
• The napkins are environment-friendly, easy to store, and most importantly cost-effective. The cost is just INR 300 per kit.

INR 3000 WILL IMPACT 10 INDIVIDUALS FOR TWO YEARS. EACH MENSTRUAL HYGIENE KIT COSTS JUST INR 300 INCLUDING DISTRIBUTION COSTS.

DISPOSABLE SANITARY NAPKINS VS REUSABLE NAPKINS

ABOUT ME 

Hello! My name is Michelle. I am 15 years old and in Grade 10 B at National Public School.

COVID-19 has impacted millions of people. The worst-hit are the poor, migrants, and daily wage workers. Bengaluru has not been spared and we are seeing its impact all around us. There has been a surge in cases & the situation will only get worse before it gets better. For menstruators from financially weak backgrounds, the issue is compounded by the inaccessibility of menstrual hygiene measures.

What we take for granted - sanitary pads and panties is a luxury for them. The solution is to give them a menstrual hygiene pack that is cost-effective and lasts long and is not too bulky.

The Hygiene pack being given has reusable sanitary pads. It creates no trash and is cost-effective. Disposable sanitary pads have to be bought repeatedly, cost INR 50-100 per month, and create massive disposal problems. The cost of this hygiene kit (including distributing it) is just INR 300. I request all of you to support my campaign so that we can also contribute to their well-being in our own small little way. Let's come together and do our bit.

COMPONENTS OF THE HYGIENE KIT

THE TEAM IN ACTION

ABOUT THE PARTNER ORGANISATIONS

RUTUCHAKRA

What does RutuChakra do?

• Provide a regular supply of menstrual products to areas and individuals in need
• Empower individuals through knowledge: through workshops and follow up sessions (in all sectors of society)
• We have a very inclusive model with special workshops designed to cater to the needs of menstruators with disabilities, down syndrome, blind, etc. along with their families.
• Promote better awareness amongst all genders to overcome embarrassment, cultural practices, taboos around this topic

We have conducted 22+ workshops and follow up sessions in rural areas, and ‘Period Talk’ sessions in urban areas. By ensuring access to information and knowledge and normalising the topic of ‘Menstruation’, RutuChakra has started a much-needed and more inclusive conversation surrounding Periods and Reproductive Health. This makes menstruators feel more empowered by their periods, confident in their own bodies and ready to fight the menstrual discrimination thereby stopping the cycle of menstrual discrimination and myths from continuing. We have witnessed great success stories through our workshops, campaigns, social media, etc. and we intend to keep working hard to increase those numbers. Through our work, we try to ensure that every menstruator is able to menstruate with dignity; accounting for their physical, emotional, social and mental wellbeing.

ABOUT ROTARY BANGALORE INDIRANAGAR

Rotary Bangalore Indiranagar, is a 140 member club, with members from diverse communities and regions. It's engaged in various community service projects which include projects around health, infrastructure, water conservation, education. It's a model Rotary Club and we are very proud of the partners we have and the impact we have made. Some of our initiatives include:

1) Karunashraya - Hospice for advanced cancer patients.
2) Pediatric Heart surgeries: We do over 300 annually
3) Eye Care Hospitals at Kolar & Tumkur: Over 5000 cataract surgeries done annually.
4) We have 8 adopted schools
5) BGMS - We support the stay and school for 300 orphans & parent children.
6) Vocational Training on Computer course, Retail, and Banking.
7) Pediatric Cancer Treatment
8)  Scholarship to 500 needy students annually.
9)  78 Anganwadis restored.
10) Lake revival schemes.

Their charitable trust is exempt under the 80G rule under the IT act.
They are a very transparent and system based Rotary club and are known as a model Rotary Club.

TAX BENEFITS

Funding for this campaign is eligible for tax breaks as Rotary Bangalore Indiranagar is a registered NGO & you can avail of benefits under section 80G of IT act. Foreign funding is accepted too.