'Shuruwaat Pad Bank' giving wings to slum women, A striking initiative of Allahabad university students

 

'Shuruwaat pad bank' inaugurated by women volunteers

The beginning of menstruation is such an important part of any girl's life where she prepares to embrace womanhood and starts developing herself to bring a baby on earth. But financial compulsions, taboos, lack of awareness, rigid mind set during menstruation are some of the factors which pose various physical health risks in adolescent girls and women. Even today many regions of our nation are so undeveloped and ignorant, where women do not understand the importance of cleanliness and hygiene during periods,which can affect their reproductive and urinary tract. 

Menstruation is still a prohibitive topic of our society, where women feel hesitant to even talk about their needs. In such a situation most girls are unaware and unprepared for menarche as they are not informed or ill-informed about menstruation. This ignorance and  poor genital hygiene can negatively affects adolescents health. There are different types of comfortable sanitary pads available in the market, but it is not possible for economically weaker women to afford them. In such circumstances, they are forced to use dirty clothes or grass and mud instead of pads during menstruation. Specially, girls entering the puberty stage face the most physical problems.

By considering such a heart wrenching situations of slums females a sanitary pad bank has been started on 1 January 2021, by 'Shuruaat: Ek Jyoti Shiksha Ki', which offers free pads to all poor women. It is a non-profit organization and founded by Abhishek Shukla in 2016. So far it has more than 400 women beneficiaries from slums across Prayagraj city. It not only built confidence among women but have been given complete freedom to take pads on their own every month. This is the first sanitary pad bank of Prayagraj city and second of Uttar Pradesh.

The pad bank, which has been built near the Alopi Devi temple in Prayagraj city, is run by five volunteers of 'Shuruaat: Ek Jyoti Shiksha Ki'. For the convenience of women, this bank is being run in a very organized manner. Like any other bank, a branch manager has also been appointed here. Complete arrangements have been made to open accounts in the name of all the women carrying pads. A passbook is also given to the beneficiary after filling the form. So that the record of carrying their pads every month can be kept. Apart from this, a complaint box has also been kept here in which women and girls can put their complaint or their feedback by writing on paper. In such a situation, if a poor woman faces health-related problems during menstruation, then the organization also makes arrangements to get them free advice from a doctor.

The most significant part of this pad bank is that all the poor women who come here, have complete freedom to carry the pad on their own every month. Presently, women living in an area of about 15 km have become regular members of this bank.

Although, for the last three years, this organization used to distribute free pads on the gap of every two-three months in nearby slum areas and  spread  menstruation awareness among women. Yet it was also necessary to find a permanent solution to the problem. To fulfill the purpose and to  provide pads regularly to these deprived women as well as to eliminate the problem from the root 'Shuruaat' organization has laid the foundation of this pad bank seven months ago . Now women and girls feel comfortable to  carry free pads on their own monthly. With this initiative of 'Shuruat' women can openly share their period problems and needs with the employees of pad bank.

The register where records are maintained

Now more than 100 girls are associated with “Shuruaat” organization, including Shalini, Anju, Ankita, Anjali, Shraddha, Yamini, Pooja, Shreya, Aashiya. All the girls are working as volunteers.

Abhishek told to ‘The Social Truth’ - "we have started a campaign 'Chain Policy', through which we appealed to every girl to motivate 10 other girls who do not use pads during their  menstruation. The advantage of this policy is that it can cover many slum areas. When every single girl starts to understand the importance of sanitary pads and use it regularly. That would be a true achievement for all of us."

By keeping in mind the health and overall development of poor women, this organization is also working to educate them. Women who were once imprisoned at home due to illiteracy and hesitation of menstruation, today positive changes can be seen in them towards education and health.

20 students of Allahabad University run the institution 'Shuruaat:Ek Jyoti Shiksha Ki',  which is headed by Abhishek Shukla. All these students work for the last 5 years to teach boys and girls living in the slum area. This group also works to get the children admitted in good schools and colleges. The best part is that some elderly women also come here to take education. These students meet all the expenses of the institution by teaching tuition or doing jobs. These tireless and deliberate efforts of our youths is really praise-e-worthy, who are performing their duty towards the country very efficiently.

Abhishek Shukla: founder of the organization

A substantial number of women in rural areas and urban slums do not use sanitary napkins due to its prohibitive cost and difficult  access, leading to consequences like infections and the subsequent morbidity, school absenteeism and decreased social participation.  

In the midst of all these situations, ‘Shuruaat Pad Bank’ is not only providing free pads to women but also making them aware for health and society.