Five years ago, Juhi Patel and Ria Soni embarked on a mission to tackle menstrual health and hygiene in Gujarat, India. As Indian-Americans pursuing careers in healthcare, Juhi and Ria were profoundly affected by the challenges women face in India. Juhi's personal experiences living in India and Ria's frequent family visits to the subcontinent shed light on the struggles that women in rural India face accessing menstrual hygiene products. They identified a severe lack of menstrual education and resources in rural Gujarat, where taboos and limited access to sanitary products cause health problems for women. Their findings in addition to their shared experiences led them to create Project Stree, a nonprofit that aims to dismantle barriers towards menstrual health in Gujarat, India.
Over the past five years, Project Stree has provided education, resources, and advocacy for menstrual health throughout Gujarat. Through comprehensive workshops, the distribution of sanitary products, and community advocacy, Project Stree has reached thousands of women and girls, increased awareness and understanding of menstrual health, and improved the accessibility of hygiene products. By addressing and challenging long-standing taboos, Project Stree has fostered a more supportive environment for women's health. This initiative has empowered many Indian women and girls, giving them the confidence and knowledge to manage their menstrual health safely and with dignity.
Achievements and Impact: 2019-2024
1. Menstrual Education and Advocacy Workshops
Since its inception, Project Stree has conducted 100 workshops around Idar and Ahmedabad, reaching 6,826 women. These workshops, held both in schools and local community areas, cover essential topics such as menstrual hygiene management, the biological aspects of menstruation, and breaking down societal taboos associated with periods. By empowering women, children, and families with such knowledge, Project Stree has helped foster more informed and supportive communities.
Topics covered in the workshops include the anatomy of the uterus, biological processes behind menstruation, and period tracking. Information sessions are coupled with interactive, hands-on activities, like demonstrations on how to properly use period products and yoga poses to alleviate pain and cramps. To date, Project Stree’s largest workshop was in Ambaji, Gujarat at the Mehta School where 450 girls attended.
Project Stree also strives to make workshops more inclusive. In particular, the past two years showcased the creation and implementation of Hindustani braille informational booklets. In collaboration with members of the Association of the Blind of Gujarat, Pragya Chakshu, and Andh Kanya Shala, Project Stree has made strides in reinforcing the idea that empowerment knows no boundaries.
2. Distribution of Sanitary Products
In rural India, access to affordable and hygienic sanitary products remains a challenge. To increase accessibility, Project Stree has distributed 13,629 sanitary pads to women in need.
By partnering with local manufacturers and international donors like Saalt and Wear Equal, they have ensured a steady supply of essential products like underwear, menstrual cups, and compostable and reusable pads. These initiatives improve hygiene practices, boost the confidence and mobility of women during their menstrual cycles, and increase the accessibility of period products.
3. Fundraising and Advocacy Events
In addition to working directly with women and girls in India, Project Stree has also focused on raising awareness of women's and menstrual health issues around the world. From our International Women’s Day panels to the Rickshaw Run fundraiser, Bollywood Summer Dance Event in Madrid, and annual Diwali Drives, Project Stree team members, ambassadors, and supporters have worked towards raising money to support donations and workshops in India along with fostering dialogue on combating systemic social stigmas and gender biases associated with menstruation.
Looking Forward to the Next Five
As Project Stree celebrates its fifth anniversary, Juhi, Ria, and the rest of the Project Stree team are committed to expanding their reach and impact. They plan to extend programs to more communities in India, develop more comprehensive educational materials, and leverage technology to sustainably reach more women and menstruators. Their vision for the future includes ensuring that menstrual health is recognized as a fundamental human right. The past five years have been a testament to the power of grassroots initiatives in creating meaningful change, and through education, advocacy, and community support, Project Stree has significantly improved the lives of thousands of women in rural Gujarat. As we look to the future, the community’s support for our mission promises even greater advancements in menstrual health and empowerment for women everywhere.
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