Break the silence, period

Programme manager Maria Fernandes and research scientist Aparna Sil participated in the Stayfree Women for Change DNA I CAN Women’s marathon to promote an often ignored issue — menstrual awareness and hygiene. The duo, who ran the 5-km run, was clad in a white kurta that had sanitary napkins pinned all around.

“Our objective is to break the silence surrounding menstruation. People still feel that talking about this natural biological process is a taboo,” Maria said.

The duo said that people don’t know the science behind menstruation and think it’s ‘bad blood’. They also said that a sense of hygiene among women is very less.

“Be it changing pads regularly or disposing them, it is important to maintain hygiene,” Maria said.

@radhika1705