Breaking Taboos: Period and science workshop for rural girls near Jamshedpur

Jamshedpur: As rural Jharkhand and Odisha celebrated the culturally significant Rajo festival, a tradition that symbolically marks the Earth’s menstruation and rests agricultural activity for three days, the village of Dhatkidih in Ghatshila block witnessed a powerful blend of tradition and science. In a remarkable initiative, a Period and Science workshop was organized under the shade of a peepal tree, where women and girls engaged in an open, stigma-free discussion on menstruation—challenging long-held social taboos and myths.

Led by the village’s women volunteers and adolescent girls, the event served as a platform to explore the cultural, scientific, and hygienic aspects of menstruation. The workshop drew participation from over 80 women and adolescent girls, reflecting growing awareness and readiness to break free from restrictive beliefs around periods.

The gathering focused on social beliefs and legends surrounding menstruation, particularly the perception of impurity associated with menstruating women. Participants shared personal experiences, noting that awareness around periods has significantly increased in Dhatkidih over the past few years. Still, they acknowledged that conservative views persist in other nearby areas.

Topics discussed included menstrual hygiene, the health of adolescent girls, the use of reusable menstrual products, and the scientific understanding of menstruation. The discussions were inclusive, honest, and aimed at educating women not just about physical health, but also about self-esteem and dignity.

Dhatkidih has become a model village in the menstrual hygiene campaign, with nearly all women using reusable cloth pads for the past two years. These sustainable alternatives have brought relief from the financial burden of monthly pads and eliminated concerns about waste disposal.

At the event, every participating woman was gifted a reusable pad from Project Bala, and a pledge was taken to identify and support newly settled women in the village who may not yet be connected with the menstrual health campaign.

Speaking on the occasion, Tarun Kumar, founder of Nishchay Foundation and known across Jharkhand as the “Padman”, emphasized the need for science-backed menstrual education rooted in cultural sensitivity. He shared, “This campaign is not just about hygiene. It’s about equality, awareness, and reclaiming dignity.”

The event saw active participation and words of encouragement from Umvi Dhatkidih Principal Sajid Ahmed, Health Sahia Guruvari Soren, Water Sahia Sonamuni Murmu, teachers like Singhon Soren, and volunteers including Moumita Murmu, Basi Hansda, Sanjana, Kiran, Phulmani, and Sushmita. They discussed ways to further strengthen the campaign and expand it to neighboring villages.