Menstrual Hygiene Awareness Session

Project Completion Report | SMS Medical College, Jaipur

Date: 18 July 2025
Venue: Mahatma Gandhi English Medium Government School, Gandhi Nagar, Jaipur
Institution: SMS Medical College, Jaipur

Project Overview

Students of SMS Medical College, Jaipur conducted a menstrual hygiene awareness session for schoolgirls at Mahatma Gandhi English Medium Government School, Gandhi Nagar, Jaipur.

The session was designed to create a safe, interactive, age-appropriate, and culturally sensitive space where students could openly learn about menstruation, menstrual hygiene, health, nutrition, and the emotional changes associated with periods.

Beyond awareness, the initiative aimed to encourage confidence, break common myths and taboos, and promote healthy conversations around menstruation.

Project Planning

The session was carefully planned to ensure that the discussion was informative, engaging, and comfortable for the students.

Steps We Followed

Identified the school and approached the Head Coordinator and Principal to seek permission for conducting the awareness session.
Discussed important topics, including commonly heard myths, misconceptions, and social taboos surrounding menstruation.
Divided the session topics among team members and worked in pairs to prepare the content.
Prepared educational material, pamphlets, interactive questions, and discussion points.
Planned a dedicated doubt-clearing session at the end to encourage students to ask questions freely.
Focused on creating a positive and joyful environment where students felt comfortable participating.

Project Objectives

🩸 Awareness & Education

To provide students with a basic understanding of menstruation, the menstrual cycle, and the changes experienced during periods.

🧼 Menstrual Health & Hygiene

To educate students about menstrual hygiene practices, appropriate pad-changing habits, and the different menstrual hygiene products available.

💪 Empowerment & Confidence

To help girls view menstruation as a natural biological process and encourage confidence, self-expression, and self-care.

📚 School Attendance

To encourage students not to miss school because of menstruation and to make use of available resources so that periods do not become a barrier to education.

Execution of the Project

The team visited the school twice before the session to coordinate with the school authorities and finalize the schedule and arrangements.

On the day of the session, the team began by creating a comfortable environment and building rapport with the students.

The session covered several important topics, including:

Understanding the menstrual cycle
Menstrual hygiene and healthy practices
Different menstrual hygiene products, including pads, menstrual cups, and tampons
Proper hygiene and changing practices
Common myths and taboos surrounding menstruation
Nutrition and hydration during periods
Emotional and physical changes during menstruation
Importance of continuing regular school activities during periods

The session concluded with an interactive doubt-clearing round. The girls actively participated and asked thoughtful questions, creating an open and meaningful discussion.

Impact & Outcomes

The response from the students was warm, curious, and encouraging.

The girls participated actively throughout the session and demonstrated a genuine interest in understanding menstruation and menstrual health. Their questions reflected curiosity and a willingness to discuss topics that are often surrounded by hesitation or social stigma.

The session helped create a space where students could:

Ask questions without hesitation
Understand menstruation as a normal biological process
Become more aware of menstrual hygiene practices
Challenge common myths and misconceptions
Feel more confident discussing their health and emotions
Recognize that menstruation should not prevent them from attending school or participating in everyday activities

For the student volunteers, the experience was equally meaningful. It strengthened their teamwork, communication, leadership, and ability to engage with younger students in a sensitive and empathetic manner.

Most importantly, the smiles, questions, and enthusiasm of the students made the experience memorable for the entire team.

Conclusion

Conducting the menstrual hygiene awareness session was a fulfilling and meaningful experience for the students of SMS Medical College, Jaipur.

The project provided an opportunity not only to educate young girls but also to encourage open conversations around menstruation and menstrual health. It reinforced the importance of breaking stigma, promoting confidence, and ensuring that every girl has the knowledge and support she needs to manage her periods with dignity.

For the team, the project was a reminder that meaningful change can begin with something as simple as an open conversation, a safe space, and the willingness to listen.

The experience strengthened our teamwork and communication while allowing us to contribute to a healthier and more informed community.