In a stirring display of courage and solidarity, nearly 200 adolescent girls and youth gathered at Elliot’s Beach in the early hours of June 7 to mark Menstrual Hygiene Day, advocating for the right to dignified menstrual health and hygiene.
Organised by the Centre for Women’s Development and Research (CWDR) and the Snehidhi adolescent girls’ network, the rally became a powerful platform for young voices, many from low-income backgrounds, to raise awareness about the persistent challenges surrounding menstrual health in Tamil Nadu.
The rally was conducted between 5 am and 7 am, adhering to recent government restrictions on public demonstrations, especially those related to gender rights. Despite the early timing and regulatory limitations, participants filled the beachfront with vibrant placards, chants, and calls for better menstrual hygiene education, wider access to affordable sanitary products, and adolescent-friendly health services.
Speakers at the event emphasised the daily struggles faced by girls in marginalised communities where stigma, poor sanitation infrastructure, and lack of information continue to hinder menstrual health. The rally called for urgent reforms, including the integration of Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) into school curricula and government health programs.
The event forms part of a broader statewide campaign on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) led by CWDR and partner organisations. Their mission: to ensure menstruation is never again a reason for missed school, lost opportunities, or compromised dignity.
