PROJECT AIM:
MAA 3.0 aimed to educate young girls about menstrual health, hygiene, and reproductive well-being through a dedicated seminar. The objective was to empower students with knowledge, encourage open dialogue, break social taboos, and create a safe space for discussing the emotional and physical changes associated with menstruation.
PROJECT SUMMARY:
Conducted on July 14, 2023 (Friday) at Birati Vidyalaya for Girls (H.S.), Birati, the third edition of the flagship project MAA focused on reaching adolescent girls with critical menstrual education.
Planning and coordination were led by Udayaditya Parbat, Suchana Chakraborty, and Priyoum Dhar, who managed all communications with the school management. Official documentation—including emails, letterheads, and brochures—was submitted in advance to secure permissions. The school, showing commendable support, approved the event on short notice (within 4 days).
While the venue arrangements were mostly in place—including seating and projection setup—the microphone and audio system were unavailable, which impacted presentation delivery. Nonetheless, the team adapted by ensuring that the speaker could engage the students effectively.
The event commenced post-lunch at 2:00 PM. Due to logistical delays and team members arriving late—particularly the digital head who was assisting the speaker—the setup took longer than planned. However, once Mr. Suvaiyu Saha (seminar speaker and foundation member) arrived, the session began with an ice-breaking introduction from Project Head Mr. Udayaditya Parbat.
The seminar was divided into two main parts:
- Session One: Breaking taboos through scientific and empathetic explanations about menstruation
- Session Two: Interactive discussion to normalize conversations around menstruation, ending with a live demonstration session by Miss Suchana Chakraborty for deeper engagement
Feedback was collected via forms distributed to the students by the school, and a souvenir was gifted to the institution as a token of appreciation.
GOALS AND IMPACT:
- Educate adolescent girls on menstrual health and hygiene
- Break myths and taboos associated with menstruation
- Promote open communication and mental comfort around menstruation-related topics
- Lay a foundation for body positivity, self-care, and women’s health awareness
The seminar helped empower the young participants and inspired confidence and curiosity, paving the way for future similar initiatives.
TARGET BENEFICIARIES:
- Girls aged 11–17 from Birati Vidyalaya for Girls (H.S.), particularly those who lack access to reproductive health education
- School authorities and guardians, indirectly benefitting from the better-informed student population
PROMOTION AND PARTICIPATION:
The event was supported by:
- Official school partnership and approval
- Internal coordination among foundation members
However, social media promotion was delayed, and digital content (such as banners and reels) were not actively posted post-event, which impacted external outreach.
Despite this, in-person participation and student enthusiasm were highly positive, and engagement levels rose as the session progressed.
CONCLUSION:
Despite facing multiple operational hurdles, MAA 3.0 was a resounding success. The seminar played a vital role in equipping young girls with crucial menstrual health knowledge, fostering self-confidence, and encouraging open communication around a traditionally stigmatized topic.
This edition reaffirmed the importance of reproductive education at a young age, proving that when approached with empathy and clarity, even sensitive topics can be embraced wholeheartedly. The Rigel Foundation is committed to continuing such impactful projects and seeks sponsorship and structural support to scale future initiatives.
