Growing up, hearing taboos like ‘girls shouldn’t go to the kitchen’ or ‘girls shouldn’t go to the temple’ during their monthly menstrual cycle was normal for Anusha Attri. It was these experiences that ultimately made it impossible for the New Delhi girl to ignore the struggles many women face with their menstrual health, especially those from oppressed homes.

After a long time, Anusha realized that periods are nothing to be ashamed of. And that became the seed of Anusha’s journey as a change maker in 2020.

Anusha Attri is a passionate leader of Girl Up Adira, a club affiliated with Girl Up India, a global development initiative by the United Nations Foundation. It focuses on equity for girls and women in places where they are unheard of or underrepresented. Additionally, Anusha is the founder of Warriors Without Cause, an NGO committed to running effective health programs for women.

The Covid-19 pandemic has changed life

“During the Covid-19 pandemic, my journey into advocacy and social work began when I saw the plight of the homeless living in unsanitary conditions and suffering from hunger. This experience fueled my determination to advocate for the voiceless, leading me to establish Warriors Without a Cause NGO in 2020,” the 20-year-old told Health Shots.

Through grassroots campaigns focused on healthcare, education, employment and nutrition, she honed her skills in project management, leadership and community engagement. She is proud to have made a collective impact of over 300,000 people by adopting 15 slums across India.

As the founding president of the Girl Up Adira Club, she spearheaded initiatives to promote gender equality and raise awareness of social issues such as domestic violence and LGBTQIA rights. She also interned at Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights and United Nations Academic Impact.

Experiment with menstrual hygiene and management

Menstrual hygiene and management (MHM) is very close to her heart. “When I started my journey as a change maker, MHM was the first issue I dedicated myself to because I personally experienced the myths and taboos surrounding menstruation,” Anusha told Health Shots.

While spending time in activities to spread menstrual health education among underserved communities, Anusha understands the issues on the ground. “Lack of access to sanitary products and lack of basic knowledge about menstrual health is a significant barrier that affects their health, education and overall well-being. Knowing that many women face these challenges without the resources they need drives me to take action. By working to improve menstrual hygiene and management, the stigma “My aim is to help break the cycle of and provide the necessary support to those who need it,” she adds.

For example, Anusha spearheaded the ‘Paint it Red’ project on Menstrual Hygiene Day 2023. Her team collected over 100 sanitary pad packets and distributed them to underprivileged women in Delhi along with a menstrual hygiene workshop. “My approach includes engaging activities like period bingo and menstrual hygiene pong, encouraging open communication and dispelling misconceptions,” she says.

At Warriors WithoutCause, she conducts monthly menstrual hygiene camps as part of the ‘Svastya Raksha’ project. These camps provide kits of essential hygiene products such as pads, hot water bottles and underwear, but also provide vital medical services and educational workshops, including cervical cancer awareness programs for women.

Anusha Attri on creating a period friendly world

Considering that Menstrual Hygiene Management 2024’s theme is Period Friendly World, Anusha points out 8 key areas worthy of action:

1. Universal access to menstrual hygiene products: Provide free or subsidized menstrual hygiene products in schools, workplaces and public facilities.

2. Distribute menstrual hygiene kits For communities and areas with less access.

3. Menstrual Education: Include comprehensive menstrual education in the school curriculum for all genders. Conduct community workshops to raise awareness about menstrual health and remove myths and taboos.

4. Period Leaves: Implement policies that provide paid time off for those experiencing severe menstrual pain or discomfort. Encourage flexible working hours and remote work options during menstruation, but employers must protect women’s privacy.

5. Improved sanitation facilities: Ensure that public restrooms, schools and workplaces have clean, private and well-equipped sanitation facilities with access to water and disposal options.

6. Law and Policy: Advocate for laws and policies that ensure that menstrual products are tax-free and considered essential goods. Support policies that mandate the provision of menstrual health education and products in educational institutions and workplaces.

7. Community Support and Advocacy: Build networks of community support groups to provide education, resources, and advocacy for menstrual health.

8. Encourage men and boys to participate in menstrual health education To foster a more inclusive and supportive environment.

Through her own efforts, she aims to foster a culture of empowerment and inclusion, working to create a safer and more supportive community for people of all genders. Besides menstrual health, Anusha has also worked on sensitization events for mental health and breast cancer awareness.

(This She Slays article, part of a collaboration between Health Shots and Girl Up India, is the first in a series of inspiring stories of young changemakers. These young social leaders are working to create a world where women are not ashamed or embarrassed to take care of their menstrual health.)