True to its mandate, NABFOUNDATION has been trying to reach out to the remotest regions of the country and complementing the developmental activities of its parent organization NABARD. Project ‘MY PAD|MY RIGHT’ is being implemented in two districts, Kargil and Leh, of the UT of Ladakh. Team NABFOUNDATION undertook a monitoring visit of these units from 04th July to 7th July 2022.
The team comprising of Smt. Sudha Varghese, Asst. Vice President and Shri. Emaran Tiwale, Project Assistant, along with the DDM- NABARD, Shri. Tsewang Dorjey, visited the unit at Sankoo village which is 40 kms ahead of Kargil town. Smt. Sudha Varghese explained to the group how the project was aimed at not only creating livelihoods, but also spreading awareness on menstrual hygiene in and around the region. Shri. Emaran Tiwale trained the group about the production, administration, quality control and marketing aspects of the project. Assistant Commissioner Development of Kargil, Shri. Gulam Mohammed was present throughout the entire programme. The Block Development officer, Shri. Yasir, and the Panchayat Secretary, Smt. Fatima Jinnah, among other district officials were present during the meeting. The Allahamdulillah SHG is a very active group and has already produced 3000 pads which are now ready for marketing. The group is confident of running the project successfully.
Kargil is a travellers’ dream and the district administration is very keen on developing it as a tourist centre. At the behest of the ACD, Shri. Gulam Mohammed, Smt. Sudha Varghese addressed the women of the village on the benefits of considering home-stay as a livelihood opportunity and the basic formalities involved. The meeting was attended by around 80 women from the village keen on getting into homestay business. The entire programme was covered by DD news and the local media.
The team also had interaction with a few local NGOs who were interested in associating with NABARD and NABFOUNDATION in the various activities being planned for the district.
At Leh, the team along with the DDM, met Shri. Saugat Biswas, IAS, District Commissioner, Development and apprised him about the various projects being implemented by NABFOUNDATION and the various initiatives of NABARD in the UT. The DC was very appreciative of project ‘MY PAD|MY RIGHT’ and is keen on implementing the project in two more locations in the UT.
The team also visited the unit at Thiksey in Leh and interacted with the SHG at length. The group is now ready to upgrade the machine to a semi-automatic one to increase production and are contemplating on taking a loan for the purpose.
At NABFOUNDATION, we are ever thankful to Team MCID, Jammu and Kashmir Regional Office and Shri Dorjey, DDM Leh and Kargil, for making the visit so meaningful. NABFOUNDATION also found a strong ally in Shri. Gulam Mohammed, ACD Kargil who has come forward to work with us in future programmes.
On the occasion of International Women's day, 8th March 2021, a medical camp and a menstrual hygiene awareness program were organized under NABFOUNDATION's 'My Pad| My Right' initiative in collaboration with Mithila Gram Vikas Parishad. The event was held in Deori Village, Ghanshyampur Block, Darbhanga, Bihar.
Shri Sunil Kumar, AGM from RO and Smt. Sudha Varghese, AVP, NABFOUNDATION, graced the event and guided the participants to better understand the 'My Pad| My Right' project and its desired outcomes.
The BDO, CO, LDM, BPM-Jeevika, Block Pramukh, and several other local representatives were present for the event. A gynaecologist from the district was called to discuss several facets of maintaining menstrual hygiene to educate the women and help them move past the stigma attached to this subject. Approximately 160 women were present for the event.
On the second day of the event, extensive training was imparted to around 30 SHG women by Smt. Sudha Varghese, AVP, NABFOUNDATION on the pad-production process, the unit's administrative management, and marketing strategies for the sale of the pads. Smt. Varghese visited schools and Primary Healthcare Centres in the village to popularize the MPMR pads and explore plausible future collaborations with them. Apart from this, Smt. Varghese also met with the Deputy District Collector to explain the various dimensions of the project to him. He further advised on a meeting with the Civil Surgeon to take the proposal forward.
The event received wide coverage in local newspapers and media.
The DDM, Smt Akanksha, played a huge role in making the event successful and ensuring all the arrangements were up to the mark.
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, 8th March 2021, a medical camp and a menstrual hygiene awareness program were organized under NABFOUNDATION’s ‘My Pad| My Right’ project in collaboration with Navjeevan Trust Rajkot, Gujarat.
The event was inaugurated by Mr. Sanjeev Rohilla, CEO, NABFOUNDATION. Mr. Rohilla briefed the gathering about the origin, the initial struggles, and the way forward for the ‘My Pad| My Right’ project in the regional language, Gujarati.
The District Collector, the DDO, the DRDA Director, the LDM, and other district administration officials were present to extend their support for the initiative. Several NGO representatives and nearly 140 women from villages in Rajkot, Padadhari, and Jasdan blocks were present as well.
As a part of the event, the Chief District Health Officer (CDHO) distributed several medicines such as vitamins and supplements to the individuals present. Alongside this, a gynaecologist was called to discuss the importance of maintaining menstrual hygiene and breaking free from the stigma attached to this subject.
All professionals also stopped to get their photograph clicked at the ‘I support My Pad| My Right project’ selfie corner.
On 6th March 2021, a medical camp was organized in Jhodal block, Udaipur district, Rajasthan, under NABFOUNDATION’s ‘My Pad| My Right’ initiative in collaboration with Shrushti Seva Samiti.
Several development professionals such as the GM and the FSDD team, DDM, Pradhan, and Up-Pradhan were present to inaugurate and extend their support for the event. Apart from this, a large gathering of women was present for the event, including the women SHG members and students from the district girl’s hostel.
Shri T. Venkatarkrishna, GM, NABARD, inaugurated Padma Shri Arunachalam Muruganantham’s award-winning, pad-making machine and addressed the gathering on the various dimensions of the project.
On 4th March 2021, a medical camp was organized in Solan, Himachal Pradesh, under NABFOUNDATION’s ‘My Pad| My Right’ initiative in collaboration with ICSW, Solan.
The CGM inaugurated the event, and several other professionals such as the Chief Medical Officer, Solan, DPO, and CDPO Integrated Child Development Scheme were present to extend their support for the event. Apart from this, two medical professionals and 130 women were present for the event.
On 2nd March 2021, a medical camp was organized under NABFOUNDATION’s ‘My Pad| My Right’ initiative in collaboration with Association for an Integral Mankind (AIM), Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand.
President of AIM, Shri K N Bahuguna, inaugurated the event and motivated the large gathering of SHG women members to recognize the importance of this project. Alongside the DDM, the following dignitaries were present for the event- Gynaecologist, Dr. Archana Chandok; Shri Pramod Kumar, Director of RSETI; and the Branch Managers of the banks from where the SHGs had availed Cash Credit Limit.
Gynaecologist, Dr. Archana, spoke to these women about the importance of maintaining menstrual hygiene, proper disposal of sanitary pads, and the overall need for an initiative like ‘My pad| My Right.’
On 18th February 2021, DRDA, in collaboration with NABFOUNDATION, organized a medical camp under the 'My Pad | My Right’ initiative in Silvassa, Dadra and Nagar Haveli.
The event was inaugurated by the District collector, and several other officials from DRDA, banks and other government departments were present to extend their support for the initiative.
A gathering of around 100+ women was present for the event.
On 16th February 2021, a menstrual hygiene awareness program and medical camp were organized under NABFOUNDATION’s ‘My Pad|My Right’ initiative, in collaboration with Jaintia Hills Development Society (JHDS) for residents of three villages of Thadbamon, Thadialong, Lummuriap in West Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya.
324 individuals were present for the event and the women were sensitised on several issues related to the maintenance of menstrual hygiene.
Dr. R.H Borbhuya, MO incharge, Barato PHC, Dr. Mahbub H. Borbhuya, MO incharge, Sahsniang PHC, and Ms. Fair-i-ca Siangshai, Supervisor PHC helped in organizing the event.
The event was covered by several media channels such as Doordarshan, Shillong Times, Syllad Online News, and Wyrta Online News.
On 12th February 2021, a menstrual hygiene awareness program was organized under NABFOUNDATION’S ‘My Pad|My Right’ initiative, in collaboration with Sarvanari JanKalyan Samiti at Dongargarh block, Rajnandgaon District, Chhattisgarh.
Hon’ble District Collector Shri Topeshwar Verma inaugurated the event.
Around 150 women SHG members were present for the event and were informed about the practices of maintaining menstrual hygiene. The women were then asked to discuss questions pertaining to their menstrual cycle.
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, 8th March 2021, an SHG exhibition was set up in Warangal wherein the pads produced under the ‘My Pad| My Right’ (MPMR) project were sold. The MPMR pads received a brilliant response as about 300 of them were sold. The DGM, Subhash Seraphim, Telangana Regional Office also graced the occasion with his presence.
On 5th February 2021, a menstrual hygiene awareness program and medical camp were organized under NABFOUNDATION’s ‘My Pad|My Right’ initiative, in collaboration with Sridharani NGO in Warangal, Telangana.
Hon’ble MLA Shri Sudarshan Reddy, the Municipal Commissioner, District Medical Officer of Warangal, and the Municipal Chairman inaugurated the event.
A gynaecologist from the district conducted an awareness program on menstrual hygiene to discuss this topic in depth with the 400 SHG women members and 50 ASHA workers present for the event.
On 16th January 2021, a menstrual hygiene awareness program and medical camp was organized under NABFOUNDATION’s ‘My Pad|My Right’ initiative, in collaboration with Arise Evam Away Foundation Samiti, in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh.
Gynaecologist, Dr. Vibha Pal, discussed several facets of menstrual hygiene in an attempt to raise awareness on this subject and move past the stigma attached to it. Approximately 81 SHG women members were present for this session and were able to freely discuss their queries regarding the subject. A medical check-up of 163 men and women was also conducted.
On 15th January 2021, a menstrual hygiene awareness program was organized under NABFOUNDATION’s ‘My Pad|My Right’ initiative, in collaboration with the Association for Development and Research in Socio-economic Activities (ADARSA) in Bargaon, Sambalpur, Odisha.
The PD-DRDA, BDO, LDM, DPM-OLM, DSWO, DPC- Mission Shakti, PIA - ADARSA SHG members, and some media professionals were present for event.
In order to destigmatize the subject and raise awareness, a gynaecologist discussed several facets of menstrual health with the women present. The women were then allowed to discuss any queries they had regarding their menstrual cycle.
The event was well received and covered in local newspapers.
In December 2020, The 'Padman of India,' Padma Shri A. Muruganantham personally installed his award-winning pad-making machine in Alappuzha district, Kerala, under NABFOUNDATION's 'My Pad|My Right' project. Soon after, on 4th January 2021, an inauguration event was held to commence the pad production process.
The event was inaugurated by Shri Shaji KV, DMD, NABARD, in the presence of Shri Balachandran, CGM, Kerala and Shri T K Premkumar, DDM, Alappuzha. The DMD then interacted with the women members from Oruma SHG, and informed the local media about the project's genesis, aspirations, and expected outcomes. Smt. Sudha Varghese, Assistant Vice-President, NABFOUNDATION, also interacted with the SHG women and played a crucial role in effectively delivering the pad production training.
The Oruma SHG women were able to produce the pads on the day of the event, thereby marking the event as a huge success. Dr. Jyothilekshmi, Principal of St. Joseph Women’s College, was presented with the first packet of pads produced by the SHG women under ‘My Pad|My Right’ project in Alappuzha, Kerala.
On 04.11.2020, Shaurya Shakti Foundation, a civil society organization in association with NABFOUNDATION organized an awareness program on Menstrual Hygiene and the project "My Pad. My Right" in Mubarakpur village of Simbhavali block in Hapur District, UP. The participation of women and young girls in large numbers was overwhelming, considering the tabooed subject. Shaurya Shakti Foundation also distributed sample pads among the women. In our effort to spread awareness among these women, the importance of educating their young daughters on menstruation before menarche, maintaining personal hygiene and use of sanitary pads in place of traditional methods were stressed upon.
The first medical camp under project “My Pad. My Right” was organised in Rewari District of Haryana on 03.11.2020. The unique Livelihoods cum Menstrual Hygiene got its field launch in a truly dynamic manner with songs and skits performed by the participating NGO and SHG members. NABFOUNDATION’s film on menstrual hygiene was also screened for the benefit of the women present.
The program was inaugurated by Smt. Shashi Bala, District Panchayat President Councilor, Rewari while NABFOUNDATION was represented by Smt. Sudha Varghese. Smt. Sudha Varghese provided critical information on the finer operational aspects of the programme. She made the women aware about the misconceptions related to menstruation, keeping in mind the health benefits of their coming generations especially young girls.
Two doctors, Dr. Pawan Kumar, MD and Dr. Priyanka Yadav, Gynaecologist also graced the occasion and explained in details the health benefits of using pads during menstruation.
Our special thanks to Shri Mr. Jagdish Parihar, District Development Manager, NABARD who organized the programme in a seamless manner and motivated the SHG members to embrace change and make this project truly meaningful by looking at both production and marketing issues with passion.
