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We Help Solve the Problem of 500 Million Women
Pinkishe Foundation is on a mission to end period poverty, normalize menstruation, and promote menstrual literacy.
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We Organize Impactful Programs

Explore Pinkishe Foundation's transformative programs, championing menstrual hygiene, women's empowerment, and destigmatizing periods, one initiative at a time.

Pinkishe Foundation's Padbank Logo
Schoolgirls beneficiaries of Pinkishe Foundation's menstrual education and reusable sanitary pads program

Pad Bank

Free Sanitary Pad Distribution
Free Menstrual Education Workshops

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Pinkishe Foundation's Project Sakhi Logo
Pinkishe's Sakhi Event

Sakhi

Training school teachers to become Menstrual Educators

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Pinktalk Logo
Pinkishe's Pink Talk Hosts

PinkTalk

Interactive, educative & inspiring women centric talk show

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Pinkishe Foundation's Project Swara Logo
Pinkishe Swara Program

Swara

Celebrating Hindi and promoting local culture and nationalism

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Pinkishe Foundation's Project Kaagaz Ke Pad Logo
Beneficiaries of Pinkishe Foundation's menstrual education and reusable sanitary pads program

Kaagaz Ke Pad

Old papers collected as donations from households help procure sanitary pads

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Pinkishe Foundation's Project Praveena Logo
Pinkishe Foundation's Praveen Project

Praveena

Empowering disadvantaged women through tailoring skills, fostering improved well-being

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Pinkishe Foundation's Project Punya Kalash Logo
Pinkishe donated a sanitary pad vending machine in Hisar

Punya Kalash

Fostering kindness and social responsibility,  for a more compassionate society

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Pinkishe Foundation's Project PinkPad Logo
Pinkishe Pinkpad Project

Pink Pad

Crafting reusable cotton cloth pads as a healthier and sustainable alternative to disposable pads

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Why Do We Do This

These eye-opening statistics underscore the urgent need for immediate attention to the Menstrual Health and Hygiene crisis, emphasizing its gravity for all stakeholders.

01
30 Crore
women in India have no access to sanitary pads
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02
45%
women are too shy to buy a pad, or talk about their menstrual needs
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03
23%
adolescent girls leave schools soon after attaining puberty
an adolescent schoolgirl - Pinkishe Foundation
04
6%
women have never heard of sanitary pads in their life
Schoolgirls attending Pinkishe Foundation event
women and girls attending menstrual workshop of Pinkishe Foundation
11 Crore

Adolescent girls are vulnerable to poor menstrual hygiene based on official studies, 87% of girls use old unhygienic clothes as absorbents during their periods, whereas 44% reported embarrassment and humiliation over restrictions, and 60% of girls miss school on account of menstruation.

A young woman Pinkishe Foundation

Many girls and women are even forced to use materials like mud, cow dung, and natural leaves when they menstruate. These unhygienic materials put women at risk of reproductive tract infections leading to deadly diseases like cervical cancer. Constant ignorance towards this natural phenomenon has been harming the health and dignity of women for long.

The Global Crises of Period Poverty

Around 500 million women across the world do not have access to private spaces and menstrual products that would enable them to manage their periods in a dignified way. In many regions across the world, this challenge is further aggravated by silence, restrictive sociocultural norms, and taboos around menstruation.

India is no exception to this and still needs to address poor MHHM practices despite government and non-government interventions having increased.

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background image some women Pinkishe Foundation

Why Is This Important?

Understanding why menstrual hygiene management matters: it's vital for women's health, dignity, and quality of life, shaping opportunities.

Dignity and Empowerment

Health and Wellbeing

Breaking Stigma and Taboos

Education & Empowerment of Girls

Academic Performance

Gender Equality and Social Inclusion

Sustainable Development

Solutions We Provide

Addressing the challenges related to menstrual health and hygiene in India requires a multi-faceted approach involving various stakeholders.

Comprehensive Menstrual Health Education

a. Implement comprehensive menstrual health education in schools, covering both boys and girls, to provide accurate and age-appropriate information about menstruation.

b. Train teachers and educators to effectively impart knowledge, debunk myths, and address taboos surrounding menstruation.

Khyati Gupta and Shalini Gupta Pinkishe Foundation

Accessible and Affordable Menstrual Products

a. Ensure affordable and accessible menstrual products, such as sanitary pads, menstrual cups, or reusable cloth pads, are readily available in both urban and rural areas.

b. Government initiatives should focus on subsidizing or providing free menstrual products, especially for marginalized communities.

Girls with Reusable cloth pad @ Pinkishe Foundation

Community Awareness & Empowerment

a. Conduct community-level awareness campaigns to challenge societal taboos and myths surrounding menstruation.

b. Engage community leaders, local organizations, and influencers to drive positive conversations about menstrual health, fostering a supportive and inclusive environment.

Pinkishe Foundation's MHHM session

Improved Sanitation Facilities

a. Upgrade sanitation facilities in schools, colleges, public spaces, and community areas to include separate toilets with proper water supply, disposal systems, and private spaces for changing and washing.

b. Ensure the availability of adequate sanitation facilities in workplaces to support women's menstrual needs.

Distribute sanitary pads @ Pinkishe Foundation

Engaging Men and Boys

a. Promote male engagement and encourage open dialogue about menstruation to break gender stereotypes and foster empathy.

b. Educate boys and men about menstruation, its significance, and the importance of supporting women and girls during their periods.

MHHM session in class @ Pinkishe Foundation

Government Policies and Support

a. Include menstrual health as a priority within existing reproductive health programs and policies.

b. Allocate sufficient funds for implementing menstrual health initiatives, including education, access to products, and infrastructure development.

Winners at ADHM Pinkishe Foundation

Collaboration with NGOs and Corporations

a. Government shall partner with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and corporations to promote menstrual health initiatives, provide resources, and reach underserved communities.

b. Governments shall collaborate with organizations working on research, innovation, and sustainability to develop eco-friendly and cost-effective menstrual products.

Innisfree team with Pinkishe Foundation during MHHM session

Sustainable Menstrual Practices

a. Promote sustainable menstrual practices, such as using eco-friendly menstrual products and adopting proper disposal methods.
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b. Encourage the development and use of biodegradable and reusable menstrual products to reduce environmental impact.

pad incinerator installation by NPCL and Pinkishe Foundation

Empowerment through Entrepreneurship

a. Encourage local production and entrepreneurship in manufacturing affordable and eco-friendly menstrual products, creating employment opportunities and promoting self-sufficiency.

b. Promote innovation and research in menstrual health to develop sustainable and cost-effective solutions that cater to diverse needs.

Khyati Gupta @ Pinkishe Foundation

Research and Monitoring

a. Conduct research and collect data to understand the impact of menstrual health initiatives, identify gaps, and continuously improve interventions.

b. Regularly monitor and evaluate the implementation of policies and programs to ensure effectiveness and address emerging challenges.

Girls marking attendance for MHHM session @ Pinkishe Foundation
A rectangular placeholder box with some women @ Pinkishe Foundation

Integrating MHHM for Sustainable Development

Around 500 million women across the world do not have access to private spaces and menstrual products that would enable them to manage their periods in a dignified way. In many regions across the world, this challenge is further aggravated by silence, restrictive sociocultural norms, and taboos around menstruation.

India is no exception to this and still needs to address poor MHHM practices despite government and non-government interventions having increased.

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MHHM finds space, if at all, in biology textbooks like a technical topic. The fact of menstruation as a biological bodily process is conveyed as information, but the complexities around MHHM, relating to body care, safety, self-image, health, social norms and taboos, and unequal opportunities, are hardly ever discussed.

  • UNESCO 2023
an adolescent girl @ Pinkishe Foundation

Schools as Center-pieces of Menstrual Health & Hygiene Management

Schools are critical in imparting large-scale menstrual education due to their wide reach, structured approach, early intervention potential, credibility, long-term impact, and ability to address holistic development. By leveraging the platform of schools, menstrual education can reach a broad audience, effectively breaking taboos, empowering students, and contributing to a more informed and inclusive society.

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In 2020, Shri Narendra Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister to talk about menstrual health during an Independence Day speech. The government believes that improving MHHM will facilitate the achievement of its SDG 2030 agenda.

Theory Of Change

Theory of change outlines the strategic steps and potential outcomes of implementing improved Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management (MHHM) practices in India to address the challenges faced by girls in staying in school during menstruation. By addressing the barriers to proper menstrual health and hygiene, we aim to create an enabling environment that supports girls' education, empowerment, and overall well-being.

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Who Do We Serve

We serve menstruators of all identities, ages, backgrounds, and orientations, providing inclusive support and services tailored to diverse needs and experiences.

Domestic Violence Victims
Rural Areas
Government Schools
Refugees
Physically Handicapped
Tribal Women
Jail Inmates
LGBTQ+
Slum Dwellers
Adolescent Girls
Rape Victims
Sex Workers
Construction Laborers
Colleges
Anganwadia
Urban Women
Asha Workers
Urban Schools
Migrants
Orphanages
Destitute Women
War Widows
Marginalised
Physically Challenged
woman with sanitary pad in hand @ Pinkishe FoundationPinkishe Foundation distributing utensils and other supplies to fire victimstwo girls @ Pinkishe Foundationindian woman @ Pinkishe Foundationwoman with sanitary pad in hand @ Pinkishe Foundationsmiling rural girl @ Pinkishe Foundationgirls sewing @ Pinkishe Foundationone woman @ Pinkishe FoundationSchoolgirls in Pune @ Pinkishe Foundationwomen and girls @ Pinkishe FoundationGirl sin Praveena class @ Pinkishe Foundationrural setting @ Pinkishe FoundationRural primary schoolkids @ Pinkishe FoundationVillage women @ Pinkishe Foundation
few women @ Pinkishe FoundationPinkishe Foundation distributing utensils and other supplies to fire victimstwo girls @ Pinkishe Foundationindian woman @ Pinkishe Foundationwoman with sanitary pad in hand @ Pinkishe Foundationsmiling rural girl @ Pinkishe Foundationgirls sewing @ Pinkishe Foundationone woman @ Pinkishe FoundationSchoolgirls in Pune @ Pinkishe Foundationwomen and girls @ Pinkishe FoundationGirl sin Praveena class @ Pinkishe Foundationrural setting @ Pinkishe FoundationRural primary schoolkids @ Pinkishe FoundationVillage women @ Pinkishe Foundation
boy-bg-imgboys @ Pinkishe Foundation

Boys have been restrained from learning about menstruation, which creates a lack of empathy, encourages insensitive behavior, and reinforces cultural taboos around periods.

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