There’s a moment in every awareness session that stays with us forever.

At Irum Manzil Government School, that moment came when a 14-year-old girl raised her hand and asked our visiting gynaecologist from KIMS Hospital a question she had been carrying for two years. Her voice trembled at first. But by the time the doctor finished answering—with patience, science, and kindness—the girl was smiling. And so were we.

This is why we do what we do.

A Morning of Change

It was a bright morning when our team at The Girl Foundation arrived at Irum Manzil Government School. We were there for a Menstrual Health Education & Donation Drive, but truth be told, we were there for something bigger.

We were there to tell the girls that their bodies are not a secret to be ashamed of. That their periods are not a curse. That they belong in school—every single day of the month.

And we were not alone.

When a Doctor Walked In

We had invited a very special guest—a gynaecologist from KIMS Hospital. Now, you should have seen the girls’ faces when they heard a real doctor was coming to talk to them. A mix of nervousness and curiosity filled the room.

Would she be strict? Would the questions be too personal?

All those worries melted away the moment she began to speak.

She didn’t use complicated medical jargon. Instead, she spoke to them like a trusted elder sister. She explained:

• What actually happens inside the body during a period

• Why cramps happen and how to manage them naturally

• The importance of nutrition and hygiene during those days

• When a period is normal and when to ask for help

But most importantly, she told them something no one had ever said to them before: “It is okay to talk about this. It is okay to ask questions. Your body is doing exactly what it is supposed to do.”

The room, which had started with hushed whispers, slowly filled with confident voices. Girls began asking questions—about pain, about irregular cycles, about the myths they had heard from relatives. And the doctor answered each one with a smile.

Myths Don’t Stand a Chance

After the expert session, our volunteers at The Girl Foundation took over. And this part was personal for us.

We asked the girls: “What have you heard about periods?”

The answers came pouring in.

“We shouldn’t enter the kitchen.”
“We shouldn’t touch pickles.”
“We shouldn’t go to temples.”
“We shouldn’t exercise.”

One by one, we tackled each myth. We explained that these restrictions have no scientific basis. That a girl on her period can cook, can pray, can run, can do absolutely everything she does on any other day.

The look of relief on their faces was unforgettable. For years, they had been following rules without knowing why. Now, they knew the truth.

More Than Just Pads

Then came the moment we had all been waiting for.

Thanks to the generous support of Gemini Edibles & Fats India Limited (GEF India) under their “Freedom” Healthy Cooking Oils campaign, we had brought enough sanitary napkins for every girl in the room.

But this wasn’t just about handing out pads.

As we distributed the kits, we looked each girl in the eye and said: “You deserve to manage your period with dignity. You deserve to stay in school. You deserve to feel proud of who you are.”

For some of these girls, this was the first time they had received sanitary products without having to ask hesitantly at a shop. For others, it was the first time anyone had acknowledged that their menstrual health matters.

We distributed pads to over 100 adolescent girls that day. But what we gave them went far beyond hygiene products. We gave them validation. We gave them knowledge. We gave them freedom.

A Sponsor Who Believes in Freedom

None of this would have been possible without our incredible sponsor—GEF India.

Their “Freedom” Healthy Cooking Oils campaign is built on the idea of empowering women and children to live healthier, freer lives. And that’s exactly what this drive was about.

To the entire team at Gemini Edibles & Fats India Limited, thank you. Thank you for trusting us. Thank you for believing that a girl’s period should never be a barrier to her dreams. Thank you for being a partner in change.

Gratitude All Around

This day was special for so many reasons.

To the gynaecologist from KIMS Hospital, thank you for giving our girls the gift of medical knowledge wrapped in compassion. Your presence elevated this session from an awareness talk to a truly transformative experience.

To the principal, teachers, and staff of Irum Manzil Government School, thank you for opening your doors and your hearts to us. Your support for your students’ well-being inspires us.

To our volunteers at The Girl Foundation, thank you for your passion, your energy, and your unwavering commitment. You are the heartbeat of everything we do.

And to the girls—each and every one of you—thank you for showing up, for asking questions, for smiling, and for reminding us why this work matters.

What We Carried Home

As we packed up to leave Irum Manzil Government School, we carried with us something more than memories.

We carried the image of a room full of girls laughing together after a myth-busting session.

We carried the sound of their voices, no longer hesitant, asking questions with confidence.

We carried the knowledge that for 100+ girls, the silence around menstruation had been broken.

This Is Just the Beginning

One school. One day. One conversation.

But the ripples will spread.

These girls will go home and tell their mothers what they learned. They will correct their friends when they hear a myth repeated. They will grow up knowing that their bodies are strong, their health matters, and their voices deserve to be heard.

This is the change we are building at The Girl Foundation. One school at a time. One girl at a time.

Together, we are breaking barriers and nurturing futures.

Join Us

Want to be part of this movement? We’d love to have you.

• Email: info@tgfindia.org

• Website: www.tgfindia.org

• Instagram: @thegirlfoundation