Preeti Sharma
Social WorkerPrazna was founded on 25th may 2018 by Preeti while she was thinking to start something new related with art
Hi, I’m Raghav Bohra, a 22-year-old from Village Sawarda, a small town in Rajasthan. I live in a family with three generations, but with no sisters around, I grew up not knowing much about menstruation. I remember hearing about it from my school books and later from my female friends, who shared their experiences with me. That was the first time I began to understand what periods really are, but it was just the start of my learning.
As I grew older, I got involved with Prazna, a Women Empowerment NGO dedicated to educating people about important social works including menstrual health awareness and hygiene. The more I engaged, the more I realized how crucial it is to spread awareness and break the stigma surrounding menstruation. My work now involves helping young individuals. understanding menstruation as a normal, healthy process and not something to be ashamed of. And this is my journey toward making menstrual health an open conversation for all who recognized it as a taboo .
To create a gender-inclusive space where all genders are treated equally and provided care and support when needed, it cannot be achieved without the participation of boys and men. Just like a woman who is a daughter, sister, mother, and friend, a man also plays various roles in his life as a son, brother, and friend. As a son, brother, father, and, most importantly, as a human, it is important for a man to know about periods to be a good positive sign of a good and healthy sign Men can advocate for a period-positive environment and ensure that there’s a safe space created for menstruators. In a patriarchal society like India, where menstruation is stigmatized to its core, it becomes of utmost importance that men start talking about periods and deconstruct the taboos and stigmas that exist around them. Buying sanitary pads from the medical shop, talking about periods with their wife, daughter, colleague, or peer, and ensuring that the right kind of support is provided to them is the bare minimum that they can do. With this, it is also important to know when to speak, and whenever you speak, it should not be in a condescending manner.
Menstrual health is not just a matter of hygiene; it’s about dignity, education, and equality. When women and girls don’t have access to the right information or materials, it impacts their physical and mental health, education, and participation in daily activities. Thus, tackling menstrual health is integral to fostering overall health, wellbeing, and gender equality.
Over the past month, I’ve had the privilege of organizing and participating in several workshops with Prazna Foundation dedicated to menstrual health awareness. These sessions provided an open platform for women and men to engage in conversations about menstruation , and periods — a significant step toward breaking the cycle of silence and shame that so often surrounds the topic.
Through these workshops, we covered important subjects such as the biology of menstruation, proper hygiene practices, and how to foster more supportive environments, especially in workplaces and schools. The feedback has been overwhelming, and the level of participation, especially from men, has been encouraging.
One of the key lessons from these workshops is that menstruation isn’t just a “women’s issue.” It’s a human issue. Men play a critical role in normalizing conversations around menstruation, helping to dismantle the stigma, and creating a supportive environment. By educating both men and women on the subject, we can collectively ensure that menstruation is understood as a normal bodily function rather than a source of shame.
By: Raghav Bohra
Dr. L. S. Acharya, a distinguished personality born and raised in Gokul, Uttar Pradesh, has dedicated his life to social service and education. With a rich background as a junior college lecturer, he has been a beacon of inspiration, particularly in motivating young minds to champion causes like menstrual hygiene awareness. As the Commissioner of St. John Ambulance Brigade in Uttar Pradesh, an Executive Member of the State Red Cross Management Committee, and a Member of the National Disaster Response Team of India under IFRC/ICRC in New Delhi, Dr. Acharya has consistently demonstrated his commitment to social responsibility. His vast experience and dedication to humanitarian causes make him an invaluable mentor for our organization
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Dr. Reeta Bhargav, a dedicated educator and social advocate, has been a driving force behind our initiatives since 2018. As the Principal of Bhabha Public School and a former member of the Rajasthan State Commission for Women, she has played a crucial role in expanding our reach to schools and educational institutions. Dr. Bhargav's expertise extends beyond education; she is also a strong advocate for women's rights, providing guidance on legal matters and actively participating in social initiatives. Her leadership and commitment to empowering women and fostering education make her an invaluable mentor to our organization.
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Dr. Shailja Jain, a renowned gynecologist and founder member of Rohit Hospital, Jaipur, is a cornerstone of our organization's efforts. Her expertise in women's health, particularly menstrual hygiene, is invaluable to our mission. Dr. Jain is actively involved in our initiatives, always available to offer her guidance and support. Her commitment to improving women's health and well-being makes her an essential mentor and trusted advisor to our organization.
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