Menstrual Café in Tamil Nadu

June 8, 2022 Incredible India Valli Sarvani No comments

Due to taboos about menstruation, women and girls do not talk about menstruation publicly. Many young girls have doubts about menstruation and hygiene during their periods. However, they do not come forward to address these issues.

But, nowadays, awareness is growing in the country. Many NGOs are working on this matter and addressing the issues. They are conducting menstrual hygiene sessions as well.

Now, a Tamil Nadu NGO stepped ahead and launched a menstrual café in Thillai Nagar, Tiruchi. NGO Gramalaya, a Tamil Nadu-based NGO, launched the cafe to create a space for girls and women to speak about their menstrual issues and clarify their doubts.

Padma Shri awardee Sai Damodaran is the founder of the NGO. He said that it is the first of its kind café in South India.

He added that the café would benefit women and girls by promoting menstrual hygiene and clarifying their doubts in this regard.

He wished girls who have doubts about menstruation and hesitate to ask their mothers, teachers, and other well-wishers should visit the café should discuss and clarify them. As the service is free, it will be used by many women and girls.

The café will be open on all days from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., except Sundays. Two menstrual health educators are there to help women and girls at the café. They will clarify their doubts about menstrual health and hygiene.

Besides providing information about menstrual-related things, girls and women will be referred to a hospital if they are found to have any serious health issues in this regard.

Damodaran received the Padma Shri in 2021 for rendering his service to society. He said that their NGO is planning to open more menstrual cafes across the state soon to address the problems of many girls and women. He opened the café taking inspiration from NGO Sacchi Saheli, which opened menstrual cafés in many parts of the country.

Image by PatriciaMoraleda from Pixabay (Free for commercial use)