PROJECT DETAILS

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Swasthya Smruddhi – Empowering Her is a CSR initiative by NHPC Limited in collaboration with PARAS India, aimed at improving menstrual health and hygiene in Jalaun Block, Uttar Pradesh. The Bundelkhand region faces socio-economic challenges, with deep-rooted taboos and limited healthcare access, forcing many women and girls to adopt unhygienic menstrual practices, resulting in health and education issues.

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The project addresses these concerns through workshops, community events, and street plays, focusing on menstrual hygiene, reproductive health, and breaking cultural stigmas. It targets adolescent girls and women aged 12-45, promoting menstrual care as essential for overall well-being and gender equality.​

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KEY OBJECTIVE

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1. To conduct 6 interactive workshops to educate over 12,000 women and girls on menstrual health, hygiene practices, and reproductive anatomy, promoting safe menstrual practices.

2. To organize 6 community awareness events involving over 4,000 participants, including local leaders, to foster support and address cultural stigmas surrounding menstruation.

3. To perform 50 Nukkad Nataks (street plays) in villages to challenge myths and taboos related to menstruation, encouraging open discussions and normalizing conversations around menstrual health.

4. To distribute 10,000 sanitary pads to women in need and install 5 vending machines in schools and colleges, ensuring sustained access to menstrual hygiene products.

5. To organize 10 health camps providing medical consultations and screenings for menstrual-related health issues, improving overall well-being and addressing common health concerns.

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ACHIEVEMENTS

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“Swasthya Smruddhi – Empowering Her” has made significant strides in improving menstrual health and hygiene in Jalaun:

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1. Educated over 12,000 women and girls, improving menstrual hygiene practices and reducing stigma.

2. Reduced school absenteeism among adolescent girls by providing access to sanitary pads and menstrual management education.

3. Installed 5 sanitary pad vending machines, ensuring reliable and discreet access to hygiene products.

4. 50 impactful street plays have transformed community perceptions about menstruation, making it a topic of open discussion rather than secrecy and shame.

5. Health camps attended by over 6,000 women provided essential screenings and consultations, leading to early detection and treatment of menstrual-related health issues.

6. Garnered support from government officials, community leaders, healthcare workers, and educators to sustain menstrual health initiatives.

 

“Swasthya Smruddhi – Empowering Her” has set a benchmark for menstrual health initiatives in rural India. By addressing the core issues of awareness, access, and community involvement, the project has laid a strong foundation for sustainable health and empowerment in Jalaun. Moving forward, PARAS India remains committed to expanding this model to other underserved regions, ensuring that menstrual health is no longer a barrier to education, opportunity, and dignity for women and girls.