Personas

“I did not know why we menstruate, but now that I know, I want to make sure that all the other women around me know as well. We should know these basic things.”

Gulabo, 29

Gulabo is a sociable woman living in the slum. She is everyone's agony aunt and other women in the community look up to her. She is a mother of two- a daughter and a son. Her daughter recently got her first period and Gulabo was shattered because she did not know how to talk about it to her daughter. She does not have much knowledge about menstruation and menstrual health but she maintains basic menstrual hygiene and uses disposable menstrual pads. When she is not at work as a domestic help, she likes to spend time with other women in the community and also stitches clothes occasionally. She wants to improve her family's quality of life by earning sufficient money and taking care of everyone's health and well-being. -Gulabo does not know how to communicate with her family. - Does not know where she can find information and support that is reliable - Improving her life and having a positive impact on her family. -She will be able to communicate better with those around her -Influence other women

“I did not know why we menstruate. To be honest, the details make me feel a bit awkward but I think it's important to know this information.”

Neelu, 24

B I O Neelu is a shy woman living in the slum. She does not have many friends or family living close to her. She occasionally meets up with Gulabo and some other women in the courtyard when she has some time in the afernoon. Neelu is a mother to a 5 year old boy. Afer her first pregnancy she has been having health issues. She feels very weak and faints very ofen. She used to use cloth pads however, of late she has been trying to use disposable pads, afer she suffered from a yeast infection. She wants to look afer her health but she feels shy to discuss her problems with others.

P A I N S

G A I N S -Does not have a lot of support and guidance with regards to menstrual health management -De-prioritizes her health and normalizes her symptoms

- Will be more aware of her health -Eager to learn and bring about change in her own life

“I don’t know why we menstruate. It seems a bit odd, what will I do with that knowledge?”

Roja, 33

B I O Roja is a busy woman. She has two young boys aged 12 and 14. She works at four different houses as a domestic help. She rarely has time to meet her friends and she does not prioritize her health. She usually has very painful periods with heavy but does not do anything about it. She has always been using a cloth pad and does not want to shif to a disposable pad.

P A I N S -She does not realize there could be a problem and doesn't prioritize her health. -She has no time and energy to seek guidance on menstrual health related issues. -She is mostly isolated from other women in the slum

G A I N S If Roja is more aware of her body, she might have a better quality of life.