I am Diya Ujual, 15 years old and a student of the 11th grade in Bombay Scottish School, Mahim
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected millions of people world over, rendering thousands helpless. has impacted millions of people. While some of us are privileged enough to be able to sit at home during this lockdown, there are thousands all around who cannot afford to do so. Migrant labourers and daily wage workers have been the worst hit. Mumbai has constantly been one of the worst affected cities in India that has been seeing an alarming number of COVID cases daily. Right now, with the lockdown and lack of money, people from the less privileged section of society are not able to access sanitary napkins. For women from financially weaker backgrounds, the topic of menstrual hygeine has been overlooked not only because it is still a taboo topic in india, but also because with the economic impact of the pandemic, basic needs such as food has been prioritised. The issue is compounded by the inaccessibility of menstrual hygiene measures.
It is absolutely startling that sanitary pads have become a luxury and not a basic need for them. Right now, immediate attention and focus has been given to having at least one meal in a day. Women from these backgrounds often turn to extremely unhygienic and unsafe methods simply because they cannot afford to put their menstrual necessities above their needs for a day's survival. This often leads to very dangerous health issues and can threaten their very lives.

An effective solution would be to provide such women with a menstrual hygiene kit that is durable as well as affordable

The Hygiene Kit that I aim to provide contains four reusable sanitary pads. It lasts for a long time and hence does not create as much waste as a one time use pad does. Disposable sanitary napkins have to be bought repeatedly and cost around 50-100 INR per month. Over a year, this sum is not only unimaginable for women from economically weaker sections of the society, but it also creates massive disposal issues. The overall cost of the reusable Hygeine Kit that I am looking to provide is 250 INR, and that is inclusive of the distribution costs.

It is my heartfelt request that you support my campaign and with your help, we can together provide help to this pressing issue that needs to be addressed. Mother Teresa once said ,"Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love." Reiterating this very statement, I hope we all can strive to help in the little ways we can because, in the big picture, every single one of your contributions matter. Helping others and doing so with love is the embodiment of what it is to be human and in that is the essence of humanity itself.