Men Creating Change with Hanaru
Hanaru is fortunate to have men involved in every area of the Charity's work. In Australia, two of the five Board Members are men, along with supporters, and fundraisers.
We are grateful for so many male helpers in India - professionals, businessmen, and everyone who has helped with distribution. In Delhi's slums, we are thankful for help from male NGO organisers; in schools, from principals, teachers and administrative staff; in Universities, from male vice-chancellors, senior professors, professors, senior administrative officers and heads of departments.
Normalising menstrual education for boys
We would ideally like to teach boys and girls together when we distribute the napkins but all the culturally embedded taboos make this more challenging. We hope to start a conversation with the boys so that they will be a part of the new and positive social progress. We believe if boys are informed about menstruation and understand the pain that girls can experience when they have a period they might support them rather than shun them and think they are unclean.
Kayoko (left) with Pooja G (centre) and Prianka (right).
Kritem.
University Lectures
In 2024 Kayoko gave five lectures at Indian universities. Ambassadors supported Kayoko on some of her university trips. Priyanka helped organise LPU's first lecture. Pooja G joined them at LPU's second lecture and the one at DBU. Kritem organised and accompanied Kayoko to NERIST.
Lovely Professional University
The Lovely Professional University[1] (LPU) in Punjab is India's largest private university. In March 2024, Kayoko gave a lecture to male Media and Performing Arts students on menstruation and the Charity's work. Many of the students were keen to be involved further. Some of them are keen to make videos using the information from Kayoko's lecture to help create change.
The students were divided into 5 groups and given the assignment to create a documentary regarding the empowerment of women. Each group was led by 1-2 professors or lecturers Kayoko and Ambassadors Pooja G and Priyanka were invited to spend time with each group.
Others stayed behind afterwards to talk to Kayoko about how they could help girls and women in their home villages. Kayoko will be providing them with ongoing support.
She was invited back in August for two days. On the first day, she gave a lecture to students of the Music, Art and Film-making faculties. She spent the whole of the second day with around 150 students and 10 or so professors, participating in their research and interactive sessions.
Front row: Kayoko, Pooja G and Priyanka have orange scarves.
Visva Bharati University
in March, Kayoko returned to the Visva Bharati University (VBU) [2] in West Bengal where she studied in 1986/7. She lectured students and professors in the Department of Comparative Literature.
Kayoko says "By meeting and talking with these young men, I realised that such open conversations involving young men are necessary to raise awareness and to develop their respect for girls."
Desh Bhagat University
In August Kayoko went to Desh Bhagat University [3] (DBU) in Punjab which offers 350 courses, 256 of which lead to professional qualifications.
She gave a lecture entitled "Empowering Conversation of Gender Equality" to male B. Tech, M. Tech, Electrical Engineering, and B. Computer Applications with Cyber Security Students.
From left, Dr Ranjit Singh, Kayoko,
and University Vice President
Dr Harsh Sadawarti are standing
in front of a large placard
advertising the event.
The North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology
In August Kayoko traveled to Arunachal Pradesh for the first time. As a foreigner, she was required to get a special visa. She gave a lecture at the North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology [4] (NERIST)
Kayoko had been invited to talk to their male students and staff members about gender equality and environmental sustainability in India. Students were keen to raise awareness amongst their family members and friends.
The gift of a conversation
Kayoko gave all the students a sanitary napkin to pass on to a female friend,
These napkins are paid for by a small group of people who want to encourage men to have an open conversation about menstruation. They do not come from the main stock of napkins bought by Hanaru's supporters to be distributed to girls.
Tatvam, a student from LPU, wrote "When you came for the first time in LPU, I told about the napkin to my family and some of my female friends. They were astonished and amazed by the concept and were really happy to hear about it. First time also you gave us the napkin, that time I gave it to my elder sister and she was really happy to receive such gift, she was touched by it. This time I am giving it to my friend and I guarantee you she'll be happy too."
A student from VBU received a napkin from Kayoko.
My aim was to support her comfort and well-being, while also promoting the values of environmental consciousness and bodily autonomy. Indeed, I do believe my hope was fulfilled. Her positive reception and eagerness to discuss the product further indicated that the gift achieved its intended impact. It fostered a meaningful dialogue about menstrual health and the importance of sustainable choices, reinforcing the mission of Hanaru."
"To my fellow gentlemen, I urge you to engage in conversations about menstrual health with the same respect and openness you would afford any other health issue. It is paramount that we dismantle the stigma and ignorance surrounding menstruation. Educate yourselves, support the women in your lives, and recognise that menstrual health is integral to overall well-being. By championing products like the Hanaru napkin, we contribute to a more sustainable and equitable world. Remember, empathy and understanding in these matters not only empower others but enrich our own perspectives."
Deborshi Goswami from Visva Bharati University gave the following feedback after he gifted the napkin he received from Hanaru to a friend:
"I bestowed the Hanaru napkin upon a dear friend, a woman who I deeply respect and who has always been candid about the importance of menstrual health. Upon receiving the Hanaru napkin, she expressed both surprise and gratitude. She lauded the initiative for its practicality and sustainability and was particularly appreciative of the thoughtfulness behind the gift. She conveyed her enthusiasm to try the product and to advocate its use among her peers.
By presenting her with the Hanaru napkin, I hoped to not only provide her with a practical and eco-friendly menstrual solution but also to spark a broader conversation about menstrual health and sustainability.
Empathy and Understanding
[1] LPU at a glance https://www.lpu.in/about-lpu/, viewed on 02/01/2025
{2] Visva Bharati University https://visvabharati.ac.in/index.html viewed on 02/01/2025
[3] Desh Bhagat University https://deshbhagatuniversity.in/ viewed on 02/01/2025
[4] North Eastern Regional Institute of Science & Technology https://nerist.ac.in/ viewed on 02/01/2025