Tamil Nadu NGO, Gramalaya, Pioneers South India’s First Menstrual Cafe to Empower Women’s Health
Breaking Barriers in Women’s Health
In a groundbreaking initiative, Gramalaya, a renowned Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) based in Tamil Nadu, has introduced the first-of-its-kind Menstrual Cafe in South India. The visionary founder and CEO of Gramalaya, Padma Shri awardee Damodaran, aims to ensure that every woman and adolescent girl in the country experiences a happy and healthy period. This extraordinary endeavor seeks to break taboos, open dialogues, and provide crucial information on menstrual health.
A Safe Space for Dialogue and Clarity
The Menstrual Cafe serves as a safe haven where women and adolescent children can comfortably discuss their menstrual health and seek clarifications. Damodaran emphasizes that empowering women with knowledge about menstrual health is vital for their well-being. He recognizes the need to address the misconceptions and doubts surrounding this natural biological process.
An Answer to Unanswered Questions
Damodaran shares how college-going students and women often approach Menstrual Health Educators (MHE) during interactive sessions to clear their doubts on menstrual health and hygiene. This interaction sparked the idea of establishing the Menstrual Cafe. Many young girls receive limited information on this topic from friends or mothers, leaving them unaware of proper menstrual health practices.
Breaking the Stigma, Bridging the Gap
Gramalaya’s visionary leader, a recipient of the esteemed Padma Shri in 2021 for his outstanding service through the NGO, believes that some children may hesitate to discuss their genuine concerns with their close ones or teachers. To address this issue, the menstrual cafes become a crucial resource where young girls can freely seek information and advice without relying on potentially unreliable sources like the internet.
Empowering Women with Knowledge
Operating from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on all days except Sundays, the Menstrual Cafe offers free services. It has two dedicated menstrual health educators who guide and assist women and girls with their queries. Additionally, the cafe is equipped with educational materials and resources on menstrual health and hygiene, ensuring women receive comprehensive and reliable information.
Promoting Holistic Women’s Health
Notably, if any girl presents a serious menstrual cycle or health issue, the MHEs promptly refer them to a hospital for expert medical attention. Gramalaya’s approach towards women’s health is holistic, focusing not only on information dissemination but also on facilitating appropriate medical support.
Inspired by Sacchi Saheli
The inspiration behind the Menstrual Cafe stems from the NGO ‘Sacchi Saheli,’ which established similar cafes in other parts of the country. Gramalaya’s initiative brings this revolutionary concept to South India, fostering a positive impact on women’s lives in the region.
Gramalaya’s Menstrual Cafe is a pioneering effort to break the shackles of silence surrounding menstrual health. By creating an open and inclusive space for discussions, the NGO strives to equip women and girls with essential knowledge, ensuring they experience healthy and informed menstrual cycles. This initiative sets a powerful example for other organizations to follow in their mission to uplift women’s health.
