Humjoli Foundation - PERIODS - SHARM NAHI, SHAMTA HAI

 PERIODS - SHARM NAHI, SHAMTA HAI

WITH A STRONG TAGLINE WHICH SAYS- PERIODS - SHARM NAHI, SHAMTA HAI, HUMJOLI FOUNDATION, A PUNE-BASED NGO IS 'LOUD AND PROUD' ABOUT PERIODS, ADVOCATING IMPROVED PROVISION OF MENSTRUAL HEALTH CARE AND EDUCATION, ESPECIALLY AMONG MARGINALISED AND LOW-INCOME GROUP GIRLS AND WOMEN.

 

“We strongly believe that menstruation is not only a ‘Women's'’ issue; rather, it is a 'Human’s issue and so, both genders need to be sensitized about this topic. And that's why we have specially designed modules for men and school boys as well.”

 

As some of the key initiatives, Humjoli Foundation conducts awareness sessions on periods, puberty, reproductive health and menopause for women and girls (even for boys/men) in schools, colleges, offices, labor camps, jhuggis and other community set ups and conduct distribution drives of sanitary products, period hygiene kits and period book.

Special volunteer and teacher’s training on 'how to take a period talk session's conducted time-to-time by the organization.

They have also published a unique storybook on periods covering all aspects of menstruation in a story format that is interesting to read and easy to understand. The book is available for mass distribution on request in Hindi, Marathi and Urdu languages.

Talking of numbers, Humjoli has reached more than 60,000 women through more than 500 awareness sessions conducted in 10 different cities, distributed 5000 period books, trained over 500 volunteers, dispersed over 1 lakh sanitary pads.

Dr. Sania Siddiqui, Founder and Director of Humjoli Foundation says, “We strongly believe that menstruation is not only a ‘Women’s’ issue; rather, it is a ‘Human’s’ issue and so, both genders need to be sensitized about this topic. And that’s why we have specially designed modules for men and school boys as well.”

 

Dr. Siddiqui started her fight with spreading awareness on normalising the biological process that has been associated with several social myths for a very long time. "Several women have succumbed to grave menstrual issues like cervical cancers and it's about time people start talking about period hygiene rather than binding women in social stigmas", said Dr. Siddiqui.

Apart from working with low-income group, Humjoli Foundation also take corporate sessions for women employees where the focus is on introducing them with sustainable and environmentfriendly sanitary hygiene products such as menstrual cup, tampon and reusable cloth pads, busting myths and taboos around menstruation, hacks & tricks to have a smooth period and dealing with menopause.

 

Ms. Rekha Mishra, the Program Director  of Humjoli Foundation told Corporate Social Focus magazine, “To speak about an issue which is deemed unspeakable in many societies takes courage, proactiveness and intense persuasion, especially to make women address genuine period-related concerns. Unfortunately, our society imposes the most obnoxious and baseless restrictions on menstruating women. Menstruation, which is a normal biological process of a woman's body, is considered unclean and embarrassing; even the mention of ‘menstruation both in public and in private is considered immoral.”

She further adds, “We aim to make people aware of the significance of menstrual hygiene and save lives that are being lost in the shadow due to a lack of knowledge.”

Humjoli Foundation's work has been featured in prestigious media houses such as Times of India, FEMINA, NDTV, Network18, CNN News18, The Logical Indian, Hindustan Times, Sakal Times, and several other national and international platforms. Recently, eight volunteers of Humjoli Foundation entered Guinness World Records for making world's largest mosaic image using biodegradable sanitary pads. For conducting maximum number of sessions on this topic, Humjoli Foundation is also featured in India Book of Records 2022.

 Headquartered in Pune, we have a strong presence across Maharashtra with a wide network of volunteers. Another fully operational and dedicated team is based in NOIDA which takes care of activities happening in Delhi-NCR. We also have devoted POCs and volunteers spread across several other states such as Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Chennai, J&K, Jharkhand and Haryana.

 

Dr. Siddiqui is passionate about spreading awareness around menstrual health and hygiene amid young girls and women. She conducts sessions and workshop in organisations and schools/colleges to imparts the much-needed knowledge about menstrual health and issues related with it. She has reached to more than 50,000 women and girls through her educational gatherings, conducted over 500+ awareness sessions in 10 different cities, trained more than 500 volunteers and distributed over a lakh sanitary pad so far.

 

 

Dr. Siddiqui is a Guinness World Rec

ordholder (year 2022) for creating world’s largest mosaic image using sanitary pads. For conducting maximum number of sessions on the topic of MHM,

 

Dr. Sania Siddiqui, is also featured in India Book of Records 2022. For her exemplary work in this field, she is conferred with ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao Award’ and Woman of Influence Award. She is also awarded the ‘Social Champion Award’ by Gramalaya, a resource of Ministry of Jalshakti, Government of India. Dr. Siddiqui has authored India’s first and a unique book on period education for young girls in 3 Indian regional languages (Hindi, Urdu, and Marathi), which is in the story format and covers all aspects of menstruation in a simple and fun way. She has been featured in several reputed national TV & Print media such as NDTV, Times of India, Network18, CNN News18, FEMINA, The Logical Indian, Sakal Times, and several others. She is also frequently invited to various FM Radio channels and talk shows to speak on the topic of menstruation and breaking myths around it.

 

Dr. Siddiqui has been invited on international platforms and conferences where she represented the status of period poverty and menstrual illiteracy in Indian subcontinent. She has also delivered guest lectures in international universities such as University of Queensland, Monash University and Westerns Sydney University. Dr. Siddiqui is also associated with University of Boston, USA in their ‘Program Design for Global Health’ Course. Dr. Sania Siddiqui is based in Pune, India.

Reach Hunjoli Foundation:

care@ehumjolifoundation.com +91 9604646190

www.humjolifoundation.com