Break The Silence Around Periods was held in Lamakaan on Saturday May 21st in Hyderabad as a part of Youngistaan Foundation’s month-long Menstrual Hygiene Month campaign. 100 people attended the event which included activities such as:
- Storytelling
- Poetry
- Standup comedy
- Live music
- Drama
- Open mic
Through their poems, slam poets from Hyderabad Arts and Culture Community (HACC) named Rana Khan and Krishna, highlighted the importance of sustainable menstruation and the natural process of periods. Stand-up comedian Roshni Rao normalized talk about periods and also discussed period stigma while making the audience laugh. Hyderabad Storytellers Association (HYSTA), a collective of storytellers performed a skit on menstrual education.
Those in attendance also had the opportunity to take to the stage and share their personal experiences about menstrual stigma and taboos. Some shared how they were shunned by their family members while speaking about their periods. The men at the event also shared their experiences of learning new things about menstruation, and thanked the organizers for creating a carefree environment to discuss periods.
Arun Daniel Yellamaty, the Founder of Youngistaan Foundation, shared that:
“Menstrual hygiene and the taboos around it are hardly spoken about in public spaces. I believe it’s time we speak about it and create awareness to the people around us. The Break The Silence Around Periods event aims to do this. Today, we’re building conversations on menstrual hygiene using arts, with men as a part of the conversation. The open nature of conversations like this can help normalize menstruation. We will be initiating more conversations on menstruation and other social issues going forward.”
PHOTOS
Click below to look at photos from the event!
ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN
All month long, Youngistaan Foundation is holding online and on-ground activities to raise awareness on menstrual hygiene management and breaking taboos on menstruation. Read more about the campaign HERE!
PARTNERS
Break The Silence Around Periods was organized with the support of event partners: UNICEF India, Hyderabad Arts and Culture Community, Hyderabad Storytellers Association and Lamakaan.
RECAP VIDEO
Click below to watch a 3-minute video of our Break The Silence Around Periods!
