Miles2Smile, in collaboration with the Shaagird Foundation, organized a menstrual awareness camp for the marginalized women of Shiv Vihar, Delhi, along with the distribution of free sanitary kits—the Taharat kits—on 25 May, earlier this month. The camp was organized in light of the growing menstrual problem among women. The aim of the camp was to create awareness of a good menstrual cycle and its importance for a healthy life.
A group of 50 marginalized women from Shiv Vihar, Northeast Delhi, attended a medical camp organized at Miles2Smile’s Sabaat center. The camp commenced with an in-depth session on menstruation, covering the biological process, characteristics of a healthy menstrual cycle, and potential health issues arising from untreated menstrual problems. The session was led by Sristhi Lakhara, Public Relations Executive, Miles2Smile.
Starting the explanation on a tone of warmth and empathy, creating a safe and supportive environment for open discussion, she said, “Today’s camp is dedicated to those women who endure countless challenges in their lives, care for everyone around them, and, in the process, often forget to take care of themselves.”
A warm sense of belonging, compassion, and care filled the atmosphere, bringing smiles to the faces of the women. To make the women comfortable, she said, “Periods are neither a sin nor a disease—they are a natural biological process. There is no need to feel ashamed when talking about them. Understanding menstruation is essential, and it is our responsibility to be informed and aware.”
A sense of comfort was palpable on the faces of the audience, and slowly doors of curiosity were opened. “When a girl reaches puberty, her uterus begins to prepare for pregnancy each month. If pregnancy does not occur, the lining of the uterus is shed and exits the body along with blood. This process is known as menstruation or a period.” Lakhara added.
After explaining the fundamentals of menstruation, Lakhara highlighted the potential health issues that can arise when menstrual health is neglected.
“Heavy menstrual bleeding, also known as menorrhagia, is a condition that should not be ignored. If you need to change your pad every 1–2 hours, experience leakage during the night, or have bleeding that lasts more than seven days, it could be a sign of menorrhagia. Seeking medical advice in such cases is important to ensure proper diagnosis and care.” she said.
The camp also aimed at highlighting common menstrual-related conditions such as fibroids (rasoli), which affect 20–30% of women of reproductive age, along with thyroid imbalances, PCOS, and blood clotting disorders. It was also emphasized that excessive bleeding can lead to iron deficiency anemia, manifesting as fatigue, shortness of breath, and a pale or yellowish complexion.
At Miles2Smile, we are committed to supporting people in every possible way and making the most of every opportunity to extend our help to those in need. With the same dedication, we not only organized the medical camp but also distributed free thoughtfully curated kits—Taharat kits containing all the essential items needed for maintaining menstrual health and hygiene.
The faces that initially appeared uncertain and hesitant gradually turned to expressions of satisfaction and contentment by the end of the session.
“This session taught me a lot and helped me understand so many important things. I truly appreciated everything I learned, and now I will share this knowledge with all the women around me,” Sangeeta, one of the women from the audience, said.
“This kit has everything a woman needs during her period. Thank you all so much,” Anam, another woman from the audience, added.
The camp concluded on a positive and fulfilling note, inspiring us to organize more such initiatives in the future to help women gain awareness about essential aspects of their health that are often overlooked.
About Miles2Smile: Established nearly five years ago, the Miles2Smile Foundation is dedicated to making a positive impact on marginalized communities in India. From the crisis response during the pandemic to ongoing efforts in education and advocacy, the foundation remains steadfast in its commitment to creating a more inclusive and equitable society.
To know more about our medical camps read our press releases here.
