On Teachers’ Day: Ujaas Empowers Pune Teachers to Lead Menstrual Health Awareness

Ujaas, an initiative by the Aditya Birla Education Trust, Founded by Advaitesha Birla, today commenced the first phase of its Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management (MHM) teacher training programme in Purandar, Pune, under a two-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Pune Zilla Parishad to strengthen menstrual health awareness and access in schools. The 2-hour session, held online empowered over 100 teachers across 30 schools with the knowledge and skills to guide adolescent girls on menstruation and hygiene management. This first phase marks the beginning of a larger effort through which Ujaas aims to train more than 3,000 teachers across all the 13 blocks in Pune district."

While teacher training was not originally included in the MoU, Ujaas initiated this programme to ensure menstrual health knowledge is retained and sustained within schools. With strong support from the Pune Zilla Parishad, the initiative lays the foundation for integrating MHM into school systems across Maharashtra, beginning with Pune district.

The two-hour workshop focused on:

1. Building Capacity Through MHM Training: Teachers were equipped with the knowledge, tools, and methodologies of Ujaas’ Menstrual Health Management sessions, enabling them to confidently integrate these learnings into classroom teaching and daily school interactions.
2. Ensuring Ongoing Student Support: Beyond classroom delivery, teachers were prepared to respond to questions, dispel myths, and provide continuous guidance, positioning them as long-term allies for adolescent girls even after the programme concludes.

Speaking about the initiative, Poonam Patkar, Head of Ujaas, said, “Teachers are at the heart of change. In India, nearly 23% of adolescent girls drop out of school once they start menstruating, largely due to stigma, lack of awareness, and inadequate support systems. By training teachers, we are ensuring that schools become safe environments where girls feel supported during their periods, rather than excluded. Empowering teachers with accurate, stigma-free knowledge not only helps prevent dropouts but also builds classrooms where girls feel seen, cared for, and confident. This workshop is just the beginning of a district-wide movement to normalize conversations around menstruation and equip teachers to lead lasting change”.

Adding further Mr Gajanan Patil, IAS, Pune Zilla Parishad said  “This Zilla Parishad initiative, under the Pune Model School program, is a vital step towards integrating girls’ holistic development into public health and education. It seeks to provide a safe and supportive environment where adolescent girls can continue their education with dignity and confidence. The program will create awareness among students and teachers, ensure access to sanitary pads in schools, and train teachers as the first line of support. Together with other initiatives of the Zilla Parishad, this effort will significantly help reduce dropout rates among girls”.

By the end of the workshop, teachers were equipped to foster open, stigma-free conversations on menstruation and to guide students with accurate information and supportive practices. With enhanced skills in hygiene, nutrition, pain management, and emotional well-being, they are now positioned to serve as long-term advocates for menstrual health within their schools. This marks the beginning of a sustained effort to ensure adolescent girls feel confident, cared for, and empowered throughout their education.

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About Ujaas

Ujaas, a transformative initiative under the stewardship of the Aditya Birla Education Trust, is committed to fostering positive change and empowerment in the space of menstrual health and hygiene management. With an unwavering focus on driving awareness, breaking stereotypes and myths and contributing to social development in the space of menstrual health and hygiene, Ujaas epitomizes the Aditya Birla Education Trust ethos of contributing meaningfully to society.

Driven by a relentless pursuit of excellence, Ujaas leverages the values, resources, and expertise of the Aditya Birla Education Trust to create a lasting impact. By implementing awareness workshops distribution of free pads, Ujaas serves as a beacon of progress and inclusivity.

Guided by the visionary principles of the Aditya Birla Education Trust, Ujaas embodies the belief that sustainable change begins at the grassroots level. Through collaborative efforts, strategic partnerships, and a deep-rooted commitment to uplift communities, Ujaas aspires to make a significant difference in the lives of underprivileged girls and society at large.

https://www.ujaas.in/about