In the community - stories from our Ambassadors
The Ambassadors have timed some of their distribution events to coincide with internationally recognised days, which highlights the issues surrounding menstruation.
Red Dot Challenge Day
The 'Red Dot Challenge' in India is a collaboration between UNICEF, adolescent girls, women, and advocates which seeks to dispel period stigma. UNICEF wants a world where no girl or woman is held back because of the natural menstrual cycle, and where period poverty and persisting taboos are history.
Hanaru took part in the Challenge, with Ambassador Pooja G distributing Packs in the Jhangirpuri Slum. All the girls had a red dot painted on their palms to take a stand with girls around the world to no longer feel ashamed about their menstrual cycle.
Some of the girls in India who took part in the Red Dot day.
Red dots on their palms in worldwide support of removing menstrual stigma.
International Women's Day
International Women's Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women's equality.
In 2023 Hanaru took part in International Women's Day. Kayoko and the Delhi Ambassadors distributed Packs in the Shahbad Dairy Slum. They were joined by Professor Principal Mamta Sharma and Assistant Professor Dr Mali Devi Sawariya, both of Aditi College, University of Delhi. Students and teachers from Aomori Akenohoshi, a Japanese high school joined via Zoom.
International Women's Day with Hanaru at the Shahbad Dairy Slum.
International Women's Day at Shahbad (2).
In 2024 Kayoko and Priyanka distributed napkins in the Bawana slum for the first time and revisited the Vasant Vihari Slum.
International Women's Day 2024 at the Bawana Slum.
International Women's Day 2024 at the Vasant Vihari Slum.
World Menstrual Hygiene Day
Menstrual Hygiene Day is a global advocacy platform that brings together non-profits, government agencies, individuals, the private sector and the media to promote good menstrual health and hygiene.
We took part in World Menstrual Hygiene Day with Ambassador Pooja distributing Packs in the Shahbad Dairy Slum.
Indian girls at World Menstrual Hygiene Day 2022.
World Menstrual Hygiene Day 2022 poster.
Thank You Hanaru - Holi Spring Festival
Kayoko and the Ambassadors were invited to celebrate 'Holi', the [Indian] Colour Festival of Spring, with some of the children in one of the largest slums in Delhi - including girls that had previously received menstrual education and Napkin Kits from Hanaru, and who were grateful and wanting to show their appreciation. The Yamuna Khadar Slum in Mayur Vihar is inhabited by thousands of poor workers. They do not have toilets, electricity or other basic amenities. When the Yamuna River floods, they have to leave their huts and take refuge on nearby streets.
The children had great fun throwing many different coloured powders at each other. The organisers were true to their promise that, instead of powder, they would kindly sprinkle beautiful flower petals on their guests.
Holi is the Hindu Festival of Colours, Love and Spring. It celebrates the triumph of good over evil and the divine love of the Gods Radha and Krishna. The celebrations start on the night before Holi with prayers, singing, dancing and the lighting of bonfires. On the day of Holi, people play with colours with their friends and families.
Children waiting to take part in the Holi festival.
Throwing coloured powder over the children.