Ujaas, an advocate for menstrual health led by Advaitesha Birla, has partnered with emerging rapper Saniya MQ to release an impactful rap song titled "Ye Laal Rang - Periods" in honour of World Menstrual Hygiene Day. This innovative effort aims to break down societal taboos and dispel misconceptions surrounding menstruation.
In a vibrant display of support, Saniya and a team of volunteers organised a flash mob at Bandra Station, drawing significant public attention and raising awareness about menstrual health. The rap song, available on both Saniya MQ's and Ujaas' YouTube channels, directly challenges existing myths and promotes a progressive dialogue on menstrual health. By targeting younger demographics, this initiative seeks to empower individuals to openly discuss menstruation and challenge prevailing misconceptions.
Advaitesha Birla, Founder of Ujaas, emphasised the critical need for increased awareness about menstruation among Indian girls. She highlighted the cycle of anxiety and confusion caused by misinformation and stressed the importance of engaging youth through mediums like rap music to inspire action and foster dialogue. Birla also underscored the need for a collective effort that includes men to bring about societal change.
Highlighting this year’s Menstrual Hygiene Day theme, 'Together for a #PeriodFriendlyWorld,' Birla reaffirmed Ujaas’ commitment to creating a period-friendly ecosystem, dismantling societal barriers, and reshaping perceptions surrounding menstrual hygiene through robust awareness and education initiatives.
Saniya MQ expressed her enthusiasm for the collaboration, saying, "I am incredibly honored to collaborate with Ujaas on this powerful project. Menstrual health is a vital issue that affects millions of women, yet it remains shrouded in stigma and misinformation. Through my educational rap, I hope to reach young people and spark open, honest conversations about periods."
Since its inception, Ujaas has reached over 254,654 girls through 8,516 educational sessions on menstrual health and distributed over 4,349,652 sanitary pads to girls in rural Maharashtra. Additionally, the Ujaas Menstrual Health Express initiative has traveled across 25 states and 107 cities, conducting workshops and distributing free pads to local communities. Ujaas also launched a Self-Help Groups (SHGs) program and a manufacturing unit for sustainable cloth pads, providing livelihood opportunities for women.
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