- Empowering Rural Schoolgirls through Menstrual Health, Mentorship & Leadership
Bapuji Youth Association (BYA), with the generous support of Udayan Care Canada, successfully implemented the “Empowering Rural Schoolgirls through Menstrual Health, Mentorship, and Leadership Programme” at Zilla Parishad High School, Ugranampalle, Andhra Pradesh.
The project was designed to ensure that menstruation does not become a barrier to girls’ education, dignity, and confidence. A dedicated menstrual hygiene facility was constructed with two private changing cubicles, an electric sanitary napkin incinerator, handwashing facilities, water supply, lighting, and safe disposal arrangements.
Alongside the infrastructure, the project provided menstrual health and hygiene awareness, career guidance, life-skills training, mentorship, leadership development, and parent–teacher awareness activities. Twenty girl students were trained as Peer Leaders to promote hygiene, confidence, and peer support within the school. Bilingual menstrual health booklets in English and Telugu, along with educational posters, were also provided as permanent learning resources.
Key Outcomes
- 100 adolescent girls benefited from the project.
- A safe and private menstrual hygiene facility was successfully established.
- Girls gained improved knowledge of menstrual health, hygiene, nutrition, and safe sanitary napkin disposal.
- 20 Peer Leaders were trained in leadership, communication, teamwork, and peer support.
- Mentorship and career guidance strengthened girls’ confidence, aspirations, and motivation to continue their education.
- Parents and teachers became more aware and supportive of girls’ menstrual health and educational needs.
- The project helped create a safer, healthier, more dignified, and girl-friendly school environment.
The project has also established a foundation for long-term impact. The mentorship programme will continue, while trained Peer Leaders, teachers, educational materials, and the new facility will continue supporting girls beyond the project period.
Together, this initiative has helped rural schoolgirls manage menstruation with greater dignity and confidence while encouraging them to remain in school, develop leadership skills, and pursue brighter futures.
