In a powerful effort to break menstrual taboos, Ujaas, an initiative of the Aditya Birla Education Trust led by Ms. Advaitesha Birla, partnered with Pimpri Chinchwad Education Trust to raise menstrual health awareness through art. Over 1,000 students and volunteers painted murals on the college’s outer walls, transforming them into symbols of awareness and change.
While Pune is a thriving education hub, many rural and semi-urban areas still grapple with deep-rooted stigma, misinformation, and limited access to menstrual hygiene, forcing countless young girls to miss school. By using creative expression to spark open conversations, this initiative empowered young people to challenge outdated beliefs and advocate for menstrual equity.
The challenge extends beyond students to migrant sugarcane workers in Pune’s outskirts, where lack of awareness and access to sanitary products lead to unhygienic practices and serious health risks. Adolescent girls in nearby villages face similar struggles, often unaware of basic menstrual health facts and discouraged from discussing their cycles due to societal taboos. Ujaas’ interventions have already impacted over 15,593 students in Pune, fostering a shift in attitudes and ensuring that menstrual health is not a barrier to education or dignity. By bringing this conversation into the public sphere through art, this initiative not only educated but inspired young people to drive lasting change in their communities.
Speaking on the initiative, Ms. Advaitesha Birla, Founder of Ujaas, said, “Menstrual myths and taboos continue to hold back countless girls, limiting their potential and opportunities. To break this cycle, we must start with the youth—the changemakers of tomorrow. When young minds challenge outdated beliefs today, future generations will grow up free from stigma. I envision an India where no girl suffers due to her period and where she has the freedom to pursue her dreams without barriers.
Ujaas stands on three pillars—awareness, access to free period products, and sustainability. This wall painting initiative reflects our commitment to these pillars by not only sparking crucial conversations but also fostering long-term societal change. By engaging young people in this movement, we are ensuring that menstrual health is understood, accepted, and normalized for generations to come.”
Ms. Poonam Patkar, Head of Ujaas, added, “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Pimpri Chinchwad Education Trust, Principal Dr. Smita Suryawanshi, and the students for their unwavering support in driving awareness on menstrual health and hygiene management. Nearly 71% of adolescent girls in India remain unaware of menstruation until they get their first period, often leaving them unprepared, ashamed, and restricted by social taboos. At Ujaas, we are committed to fostering open conversations, breaking the cycle of shame and limitations associated with periods, and empowering adolescent girls to live their lives with confidence and independence. Through initiatives like this, we take one step closer to ensuring that no girl’s dreams are held back by stigma or misinformation.”
This initiative builds on Ujaas’ ongoing efforts across Maharashtra, where it has reached over 4,32,321 adolescent girls, women, and young boys through awareness programs and the free distribution of 46,71,900 sanitary pads. The impact of these efforts is reflected in real stories from across the state. In Amravati, a schoolteacher engaged parents to challenge menstrual superstitions, leading to improved school attendance. In Baramati, a 14-year-old girl initiated discussions on menstrual rights after attending a session, breaking the silence in her school and home.
In Chandrapur, a young boy, Lokesh, challenged restrictive menstrual customs in his village after realizing how they affected his mother’s dignity. Meanwhile, in Mumbai, a male student at Ismail Yusuf College stepped forward as an advocate for menstrual health, breaking gender barriers in the conversation. These stories highlight the power of education in shifting attitudes and fostering real change.
The wall painting activity is a natural extension of this mission, using creative expression to ensure menstrual health awareness reaches a wider audience. By engaging young people as advocates, the initiative ensures that these murals serve as lasting reminders that menstruation is natural and should never hold anyone back from education or opportunity. Through initiatives like this, Ujaas continues to drive impactful conversations, normalize menstruation, and empower the next generation to build a future free from menstrual stigma.
