Key Points

Manushi Chhillar is using her platform to tackle menstrual health stigma through her initiative, Project Shakti. She recently visited a Mumbai school to distribute sanitary pads and educate students. The former Miss World highlighted how societal norms around menstruation have evolved but outdated beliefs persist. Alongside her advocacy, she has two major film projects lined up.

Key Points: Manushi Chhillar Advocates Menstrual Health Awareness Through Project Shakti

  • Manushi Chhillar promotes menstrual hygiene via school visits
  • Highlights historical struggles of women during periods
  • Advocated free sanitary pads during COVID lockdown
  • Upcoming films include 'Maalik' and 'Tehran'
2 min read

Manushi Chhillar on her mission to raise awareness on menstrual health, 'Now times have changed...'

Former Miss World Manushi Chhillar discusses breaking menstrual taboos and empowering women through her initiative Project Shakti in Mumbai schools.

Manushi Chhillar on her mission to raise awareness on menstrual health, 'Now times have changed...'
"Now times have changed... but the rules set back then are still being followed. – Manushi Chhillar"

Mumbai, June 27

In addition to being an actress, former Miss World Manushi Chhillar is also a women’s health advocate- something which she achieves through her non-profit initiative, "Project Shakti".

As part of the initiative, she paid a visit to a Mumbai school to spread awareness about menstrual hygiene and distributed sanitary pads.

In an attempt to break the taboo around menstruation, Chhillar said, "Aaj humare paas yeh saadhan hai ki hun pad pehen sakte hai, hum kaam kar sakte hai, hum school aa sakte hai. Lekin Pehle yeh nahi hote the. Abhi khade hoke kaam karne mein aasani hai. Pehle kitchen pura zameen pe hota hai toh aap baithke kaam karte the. Toh uss waqt yeh kahan jaata tha ki aap rest karein, aap iss Tarah ka kaam naa kare jisse aapko aur zyada dikkat ho, aur zyada dard ho, aur zyada takleef ho. Isliye kehte the ki aap kitchen ka kaam naa karein. Ab samay badal gaya hai. Lekin woh jo rules lagaye gaye the, woh abhi tak follow kiye jaate hai. (Today we have the means to get menstrual pads - we can work and can also go to school. But that wasn't the case before. Now it's easy to work while standing. Earlier, the kitchen used to be on the ground, so you would have to sit to work. At that time, it was said that you should rest, you shouldn't do work that causes more difficulty, increased pain, or discomfort. That's why it was said that you should not do kitchen work. Now times have changed. But the rules that were set back then are still being followed.)

Not just now, but during the COVID-19 lockdown as well, Chhillar had requested the state governments to provide free sanitary pads and essentials such as iron supplements, to those females who were unable to afford it.

On the professional front, Chhillar has two promising projects in the lineup - "Maalik" opposite Rajkummar Rao and "Tehran" alongside John Abraham.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
While I appreciate her efforts, I wish she would collaborate with grassroots organizations that have been working on menstrual health for decades. Celebrities often get all the credit while ignoring existing activists.
A
Ananya R
As a teacher in a government school, I've seen firsthand how menstrual education changes lives. We need more pad vending machines in schools and public toilets. Kudos to Manushi for highlighting this!
K
Karthik V
My sister had to miss school every month because we couldn't afford pads. Now she's part of a self-help group making reusable cloth pads. Change is happening, but slowly. More power to initiatives like Project Shakti!
S
Shreya B
Why is this still a taboo topic in 2023? 😤 In my college, boys still giggle during health education classes. We need to normalize these conversations in co-ed environments too!
V
Vikram M
Respect to Manushi for continuing this work even during COVID lockdowns. Many women suffered silently during that time. Government should make sanitary products tax-free nationwide, not just in some states.

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