Mumbai: Avni- a menstrual health startup has launched a new awareness campaign titled ‘D.A.A.G,’ on the occasion of Menstrual Hygiene Day. The campaign will be covering a female-dominated sector every year, to create awareness around the associated challenges they face during menstrual cycles. This year the campaign is aimed at talking about the condition of female sanitation workers, who are also the frontline warriors during covid, and safe menstrual practices. The campaign shall be executed through digital platforms and on-ground activities,. For on-ground execution, Avni has tied up with renowned NGOs to drive the activities in specific regions to start with, including – SWaCH, Pune, Red is the New Green (RING), Mumbai, Aram foundation, Coimbatore, Kamakhya Health Organisation, Surat, and Buddha Education Foundation, Delhi.
Avni has been promoting safe menstrual practices in India since its very inception. This year the brand plans to focus on the underprivileged section of society- female sanitation workers. In India, about 80% of the waste pickers are women, according to a study. And, every month, during periods, women sanitation workers suffer from frequent infections, rashes, and bruises on their thighs because of the nature of their jobs and inaccessibility to the menstrual supplies. In order to manage their menstrual days, they have to depend on inferior products or unhygienic alternatives.
“The idea behind this year’s campaign is to draw the attention of people towards these females who have been living among us, yet never got the support they required. We have been going to nooks and corners of the country but these people have been staying here in urban areas too, and have been deprived of the basic necessities like menstrual supplies. The campaign is to draw the attention of societies towards these women, and also to create awareness among common people to focus on better disposal of sanitary waste,” said Sujata Pawar- Co-Founder, Avni- Menstrual healthcare startup.
Under the campaign, Avni will be releasing a series of videos covering the criticality of practicing safe disposal of sanitary waste, which otherwise leads to health hazards for sanitation workers. The campaign will also cover supporting female sanitation workers with menstrual supplies for up to 3 years with Avni products.
The startup has also joined hands with Impact Guru for the initiative to launch a yearly fundraising campaign. Entire proceedings from this will be utilized to support underprivileged women with menstrual supplies in different parts of the country.
