Location- Kandi, Murshidabad

Project Udaan was initiated in the year 2022-23 in Kandi blocks of Murshidabad, West Bengal. The program aims to cover 700 adolescent girls in the area for a period of three years. The major components of the program are: Capacity Building sessions with 700 adolescent girls and 200 boys on gender and sexual & reproductive health rights. Training unit set up - with 3 machines and a 3 months comprehensive training of 20 beneficiaries for tailoring. Capacity development sessions with the community around the same topic. Creation of football team with 30 girls from the field as a step to combat child marriage in the area. Celebrating important days as events to mark the importance of women and child rights in the area.

Before initiation of the project a baseline study was done in the area to get an idea about the “knowledge, attitude, and practices” regarding sexual & reproductive health and menstrual health. It was found that the area has a very high rate of child marriage and teenage pregnancy. Family Planning was an alien concept to most of the married women. After the study the project was initiated. In the last year we successfully created 33 adolescent centers in 33 villages. Our community mobilizers made house visits to mobilize the community and adolescent girls. The girls were enrolled through giving a roll number and attendance was taken in every session. We also did a stakeholder meeting in the area for letting them know about the three year project and asking for cooperation. A training unit was set up where 20 women are enrolled for a skill development training on tailoring. The project is in partnership with Azim Premji Philanthropic Initiatives.

As an attempt to help women in this area to find means of livelihood, the project provided opportunity to learn stitching and find means to earn a living from it. The project aimed to train 40 women and adolescent girls (18-25 years) on basic training and then identify master tailors for and advanced skill course.

Through the intervention, six months tailoring course was conducted after which a "basic stitching certificate" was given to the women and girls who can start an alternative career or income option through the course. A total of 48 participants from under -resourced community attended the course of which 15 women were also taught make cloth sanitary pads.

Time Period:
Funded by: Concern India Foundation & Netscribes

Our adolescent empowerment program covers both adolescent girls and boys in tribal schools in West Bengal. In this program, we introduce module-wise sessions to boys and girls- starting from ice-breaking, introduction to adolescent health, body mapping, knowing proper names of private body parts, understanding anatomy, hygiene, and nutrition during adolescence, signs of puberty, etc.

The program is entitled to cover 1500 tribal students in total out of which 800 are girls and the rest are boys. In the last year, held three sessions in different tribe schools, where more than 150+ students participated in total. The students enjoyed the session, and it was heartwarming to see their reactions and active participation. They need to learn more about their bodies and not feel embarrassed or shy about it. We will continue the program in the coming year. Thanks to our partners Mukesh Himatsingka Foundation and our digital media partner Youth Ki Awaaz for helping us deliver AEP in tribal schools of West Bengal.

Menstrual stigma and taboos can be particularly strong in rural areas, which can further limit access to menstrual products and education. This can create a culture of silence and shame around menstruation. We got the opportunity to conduct an awareness session at Boringdanga High School (H.S.), Jamuria, Paschim Bardhaman where we engaged 120 adolescent girls and spoke to them about menstrual health and hygiene. The session covered topics like the basics of menstruation, pre-menstrual syndrome, hygiene to be maintained during periods, nutrition, and sustainable menstruation (basket of choice). Along with the session we also distributed cloth pad kits to these girls. We explained to them how to use, wash, and care for reusable cloth pads.

These cloth pads were made by the SHG women of Hirapur Kripin Credit Society who were trained under the same program. They were also given the order to make 1000 cloth pads. It is important to address menstrual health and hygiene in rural areas through education, and access to menstrual products, By doing so, we can promote gender equality, improve health outcomes, and empower girls and women to reach their full potential. This initiative was supported by India Power under the CSR program- Happy Periods!

Project Unnati works towards impacting the lives of underprivileged women who are currently equipped with the skills and knowledge to make sustainable reusable cloth pads and other menstrual care products to bridge the gap in the supply chain. SVP India supported Anahat to drive sales of SHG-made products through social media marketing and visual communications.

The grant also helped to set up a central MIS system for project reporting and management. Through their help, we increased our sales through consumer purchases in 2022 and 2023 and at the same time decreased dependency on grants/projects. We were able to launch our e-commerce website which became a platform for selling SHG-made products. A part of the grant was also used in training 15 adolescent girls in Kantha stitch in Murshidabad which was primarily done in the last year.

Under the initiative of the Katwa SDO, we trained around 20 women in reusable cloth pad making, and 50 ASHA/Anganwadi workers were given capacity-building orientation on “Menstrual Hygiene Management”. It is important to impart correct knowledge on menstruation to the backbone of the rural health care system of our country - the ASHA Didis and ICDS workers.

If properly taken, an awareness session on menstruation which addresses the myths to its core, takes 2 days. It is important to break their misconceptions as these women go door to door in villages and spread the same knowledge It was good to see that the local govt in Katwa of Barddhaman district took some initiatives and organized training for the health workers as well as the SHG workers. Around 20 SHG workers attended the pad-making workshops where they were taught to make different types of reusable cloth pads. In these 5 years, Anahat has emerged as one of the pioneers in this sector who imparts training on making of cloth pads.

World Vision India, Raipur along with UNICEF India and Chhattisgarh Sashan organized a 4-day residential training for community-level change makers in Jagdalpur, Bastar District, Chhattisgarh on MHM & Life skills. The event took place in 2 batches covering a total of 70 participants. In the first batch, there were 30 SHG women from NRLM and 5 Yuvodaya volunteers whereas the second batch covered 10 school teachers, 10 people from the Health Department, 10 Anganwadi supervisors, and 5 Yuvodaya volunteers. On the 2nd & 4th day of the training, certificates were distributed to each of the participants on stage.

All participants shared their experiences and learnings from the training. They were given a chance to write their feedback on a sticky note and put it on the feedback wall created on the first day of the training. Everyone had very positive things to say about the training & the trainers. They all were motivated to take the learnings from the training to their community and fill the knowledge gap in the system. They requested the administration to help them form a strategy to take this master training to the community.

Water Aid, India along with PepsiCo Foundation organized an 8-day residential training on sustainable menstruation for the Community level change makers in Pandua block, Hooghly district, West Bengal. The event took place in two batches covering a total of 80 participants. In the first batch, 24 SHG women from Pandua got the training on sustainable menstruation (sustainable reusable cloth pad making) whereas the second batch (ASHA health workers and ICDS supervisors) received Master Training MHM - Network Establishment.

The eight-day training session ended on a happy note bidding goodbye to everybody and wishing luck for future endeavors. On that day of the training, certificates were distributed to each of the participants along with the startup kits. Mantu Roy from Water Aid and Subodh Sarkar from PepsiCo Foundation were present to honor the participants with a completion certificate.

All participants shared their experiences and learnings from the training. They were given a chance to write their feedback on a sticky note and put it on the feedback wall created on the first day of the training. Everyone had very positive things to say about the training & the trainers. They all were motivated to take the learnings from the training to their community and fill the knowledge gap in the system. They were equally interested in promoting cloth pads in their community and benefiting from the commission model explained to them.

Project Objectives:
1.Develop alternative livelihood opportunities for tribal women plantation workers of closed Lankapara tea garden.
2.Reduce the incidence of gender based violence and ensure overall well being of tribal women through income generation and women empowerment.
3.Ensure proper education and food security for children of plantation workers.

Activities performed:
1.Training of tribal women
2.Procurement and supply of 15 goats
3.Proper monitoring and evaluation

Project Objectives:
To make gender-based violence and discrimination against women and young girls unacceptable and reduce the rate of child marriage by using a rights-based approach.

Activities performed:
Ice-breaking and setting up ground rules and understanding human rights
Understanding sex and gender
Understanding the cause and impact of child marriage and steps to reduce it
Understanding policies related to child marriage and stakeholders involved in it
Organising exposure visits and teaching participants to lodge complaints
Celebrating events and sensitizing communities about the negative impact of child marriage.

Location: Kandi, Nabagram and Berhampur block of Murshidabad district, West Bengal.

Project Objectives:
We trained 50 adolescent girls in Kantha stitch and this was taken as an engaging activity in order to reduce child marriage in the area.

Activities performed:
Introduction of “Kantha Stitch” basic course

Training on making of products like cushion covers, stoles, bags, yoga bags, mats and other.

Location: Murshidabad district, West Bengal

Project Objectives:
To distribute menstrual hygiene kits to 250 adolescent girls and women in Nadia district of West Bengal.

Activities performed:

Distribution of reusable menstrual hygiene kit which can be used upto a period of three years.
Awareness sessions were conducted on menstrual hygiene management and regarding the use of reusable cloth pads.
Location: Hanskhali Block of Nadia district, West Bengal

Project Objectives:

To combat the ongoing second wave and forthcoming third wave and to help the hospitals we supported the Cooch Behar district administration with 284 D’type Oxygen cylinders, 200 oxygen flowmeters and 50 oxygen regulators as per their requirement

Activities performed:
Distribution of 284 D’Type O2 cylinder, 200 oxygen flowmeters, 50 oxygen regulators at three sub divisional rural hospitals and one district medical college and hospital in Cooch behar district

Location: Coochbehar District, West Bengal

Project Objectives:

To create awareness about Covid-19 disease along with Vaccination Drive

Activities performed:
Door to door visit creating awareness about the covid-19 disease
Checking the temperature and oxygen level of the family members
Distribution of essential hygiene kits like masks and sanitizers from door to door
Vaccine awareness drive was held with community engagement activities like miking in bengali using slogans, distribution of pamphlets
Distribution of ration kits to 285 covid affected families at six community development blocks in four districts
Capacity building of frontline govt health workers -ASHAs with hygiene kits like masks, sanitizers, oximeters and thermal guns

Location: South 24 Parganas- Diamond Harbour-I block, Nadia- Krishnaganj Block, Mursidabad - Kandi, Nabagram & Berhampur block, Alipurduar- Madarihat Birpara block and Coochbehar district of West Bengal.

During the first lockdown of the COVID-19 pandemic in West Bengal, Anahat For Change Foundation and Paint It Red started the 'Bleed In Peace' campaign. The aim was to provide safe and reusable cloth pads to people who menstruate, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Because of the lockdown, it was hard to get sanitary products. So, we teamed up with local NGOs to distribute care packages to people in villages. In West Bengal, we gave out 6600 cloth pads to 2000 menstruators and taught them how to use them. With the help of NGOs like Nirdhan and Nistha, we reached many vulnerable areas. By the end, we helped over 3000 women in slums in Kolkata. We also provided jobs for around 20 women who made the hygiene kits. This campaign was crucial for their families during the lockdown.

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the lives of many people, particularly those residing in Kolkata and surrounding areas such as North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, Howrah, and Hooghly. Despite these challenges, Self Help Group (SHG) members have stepped up to assist their communities. They have been actively involved in producing and distributing cloth masks, while also providing education on their proper usage. Working in partnership with UNICEF and Anahat, SHGs have undertaken initiatives to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Their primary objective was to train and support 100 SHG members from specific wards in Kolkata (58, 66, and 80) in crafting high-quality cloth masks that adhere to WHO standards. These masks were then distributed free of charge, with a focus on reaching vulnerable populations in urban slums. Additionally, SHG members engaged in door-to-door campaigns to educate community members on the importance of wearing masks correctly and maintaining their hygiene.
This project not only equipped women with valuable skills but also provided them with opportunities to generate income. Moreover, distributing masks and spreading awareness, played a crucial role in safeguarding communities against the spread of COVID-19. Ultimately, this initiative serves as a testament to the impact of grassroots efforts in addressing challenges during times of crisis.

Our director, Purvi Tanwani, received the YKA Action Network Fellowship Grant for the campaign "Bleed & Learn Freely" in West Bengal. The campaign aimed to address the problem of inadequate menstrual hygiene management (MHM) facilities in schools, which causes students to miss classes and creates unhygienic conditions for sanitation staff. We wanted the Department of Higher Education, Principal Secretary, Shri Manish Jain, to review the current MHM facilities in schools and ensure improvements by 2021, including gender-segregated washrooms, proper WASH facilities, vending machines, and sanitary waste disposal methods like incinerators and dustbins with lids.
Campaign Objectives:
1. To advocate for MHM facilities in 30 Government schools in Kolkata.
2. To improve hygienic facilities for school sanitation staff.
3. To raise awareness about MHM on social media platforms.
Activities:
We conducted a survey on MHM facilities in schools, involving students, teachers, and sanitation staff. We observed and documented the conditions of school toilets. Additionally, we organized a drawing competition where students expressed their ideas for an ideal MHM-friendly toilet. We also conducted Instagram live sessions with school principals and teachers.
Outputs:
The survey helped us understand how students perceive school toilets, especially during menstruation. The drawing competition allowed students to visually communicate their needs and demands for better facilities. We collected data from 328 participants across 5 schools, with cooperation from both management and students. The Instagram live sessions facilitated discussions with school authorities.

"Project Unnati" - Training and Skill Development of women to make sustainable products in South 24 Paraganas and Indo-Bangladesh border area supported by SVP India Kolkata.
With the goal to bring knowledge, life skills, and linkages to a large number of disadvantaged women, adolescents, and youth in order to enhance leadership, promote self-sustainability, and alleviate poverty, we initiated Project Unnati in July 2020 with the help of SVP India Kolkata Chapter. Project Unnati aimed at skill development and livelihood generation for underprivileged women in areas of West Bengal worst hit by the pandemic and filling the supply chain gap in the Rashtriya Kishore Swasthya Karikram scheme the objective of which was to supply low-cost sanitary napkins through training of SHG's. The total budget for this phase was Rs 5,55,781.
The objectives of Unnati is: Alternative livelihood generation for 62 women beneficiaries Access to safe and sustainable menstrual hygiene products Introducing the women beneficiaries to the concept of sustainable menstruation through awareness programs and product demonstrations.

Anahat's team visited Nutanhat Girls High School in Kankura Masat, South 24 Parganas, to check the condition of its toilets. They found that although there were 750 girls in the school, there were only 4-5 urinals and 1 toilet pan available. Photos taken by the team showed how bad the toilets were. There was only one toilet, so sometimes girls had to use the urinals if it was occupied. The Teacher in Charge of the school told us about this. Anahat then built 4 toilet blocks and 1 separate block with a changing room, along with 2 handwashing stations, with support from Mr. Amal Poddar and the Magma Foundation. SVP India Kolkata helped connect them. The project cost INR 2,50,000.

A teacher named Aparna Pal, who has been teaching at the school for 16 years and is now the Teacher in Charge, was interviewed to learn more about the problems with WASH and hygiene. She showed us around and was happy to hear about Anahat's plan to build a toilet. She said most of the students at the school belong to the minority community. When asked about menstruation, she said that before, girls would either skip school for 3-4 days during their periods or go home if they got their periods during school hours because they weren't used to using sanitary pads. Aparna and some other teachers started keeping sanitary pads at school to help these girls study without interruptions. The girls started using the pads, but they still face problems changing them at school because of the poor toilet conditions. So, some girls still miss school during their periods because they don't want to change pads there. Aparna mentioned that the school toilets are in very bad condition and there aren't enough of them for so many girls.

The second phase of Project Unnati, supported by SVP India and the German Consulate Kolkata, aims to help beneficiaries improve their market connections and selling skills. We want to create a successful and sustainable selling model in Diamond Harbour and Nadia district. Additionally, we plan to train 40 tribal women in the tea gardens of Darjeeling District (Terai region).
Campaign Objectives:
1. Support the livelihoods of women making cloth pads, underwear, and masks in Kankura Masat & the Indo-Bangladesh borders.
2. Strengthen market connections and selling skills of the beneficiaries.
3. Train 40 tribal women in the tea gardens of Darjeeling District on making sustainable menstrual hygiene products.
4. Promote the correct usage of safe and sustainable menstrual hygiene products.
5. Educate menstruators on sexual reproductive health rights, sustainable menstruation, and menstrual health & hygiene.
Project Phases:
I. Capacity Building & Market Linkage:
- Select 40 women as "Lead Sellers" in 4 intervention areas.
- Provide training on marketing strategies.
- Distribute seed grants of 10 pads each to the Lead Sellers.
II. Training of Tribal Women in Terai Region:
- Select 40 tribal women from 2 blocks in the Terai Region of Darjeeling District.
- Set up a training unit with necessary equipment.
- Provide comprehensive training on making reusable cloth pads, underwear, masks, etc.
- Distribute starter kits and provide ongoing support.
III. Distribution of Hygiene Kits and Awareness:
- Facilitate the production of menstrual hygiene kits by trained beneficiaries.
- Distribution of "Unnati Kits" containing pads, underwear, detergent, soap, and a pouch.
- Each kit will cover a woman's menstrual needs for 3 years and include instructions for proper care.
The total budget for this phase is INR 18,10,400.

We conducted personal Safety Education Program in 3 Lotus Rescue Schools in North 24 Paraganas, West Bengal. A total of 100 children attended the session. We discussed concepts like "Personal Safety", "Private and Public", "Private Body Parts", "Body Safety Rules", "Safe Touch Unsafe Touch", "Safety Circle" etc. We also showcased short videos like "Pantasaurus" and "Komal by Childline". After the session, we distributed "Body Safety Rules" stickers and masks to the children.

Project Objectives:

1. To provide awareness session to SHG members on Sustainable menstruation
2. To provide livelihood option to that SHG members through reusable Cloth pad making.

Project Activities:
1. Conduct session on Sustainable menstruation
2. Conduct session on reusable cloth pad making session
3. Provide hand holing support to the SHG members for cloth pad making.
4. Provide session to that SGH members regarding marketing, packaging Banding.
5. Report submission

Location: Odisha

Project Objectives:

1. To provide awareness session to 150 college students on Sustainable menstruation

Project Activities:

1. Conduct a session on women’s health and menstrual health and hygiene.
2. Submission of report.

Location: Hooghly, West Bengal

Project Objectives:
1. To make the students aware about women’s health and menstrual hygiene.
2. To introduce sustainable menstruation among the students.

Project Outcomes:
1. Conduct a session on adolescent’s health and menstrual health and hygiene.
2. Distribute cloth pads as a kit among the teachers and students.
3. Submission of report.

Location: Paschim Bardhaman, West Bengal

Project Objectives:

1. To provide TOT (ASHA, AWW,) for LALANA Campaign (a holistic menstrual hygiene management)

Project Outcomes:
1. Conduct TOT for master trainers related to menstrual hygiene management.
2. Introduce sustainable menstruation among all the health workers.
3. Provided training kit to all of them
4. Submission of reports.

Location: Hooghly, West Bengal

Project Objectives:
1. To select schools in West Bengal for menstrual hygiene management program.
2. To conduct awareness sessions in schools regarding menstrual hygiene management.
3. Reporting of the above activities.

Project Outcomes:
1. Conducting awareness sessions on sustainable menstruation with children.
2. Conducting awareness session on sustainable menstruation & hygiene practices with stakeholders.
3. Reporting of the entire activities.

Location: West Bengal

Project Objectives:

1. To make the students aware about women’s health and menstrual hygiene
2. To introduce sustainable menstruation among the students

Activities Performed:

1. Survey of schools on menstruation & selection of schools for the program
2. Awareness session on adolescent’s health and menstrual health and hygiene
3. Distribute cloth pads as a kit among the teachers and students
4. Submission of reports along with feedback of user

Location: Bankura, West Bengal

Project Objectives:

1. To assess toilet usage – gender/ age wise, individual member usage & reasons for not using toilets
2. To assess toilet infrastructure & cleaning of toilets
3. To assess drinking water supply, duration & quality
4. To assess handwashing practices & other hygiene behaviours

Activities Performed:

1. Questionnaire preparation & uploading the same in SurveyCTO app
2. Collection of data from 5500 ITC households and 1500 control households
3. Collection of data from 30 community toilets
4. Qualitative study including 20 FGDs, 30 service provider’s interview and 15 case studies
5. Data analysis using SPSS & Ms Excel
6. Final report submission along with analysis

Location: Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana, Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand

Project Objectives:

1. Build awareness about safe drinking water
2. Provided training tools to teachers for the same
3. Provide safe drinking water as a part of the ‘LG Eco Agents of Change’ projects on school.
4. Reporting & documentation of all the activities

Activities Performed:

1. Fixed 5 government schools in Kolkata for the LG Eco Agents of Change programme
2. Conducted teachers training on Safe drinking water.
3. Organised one day each exhibition on safe drinking in all school.
4. Support was given when LG Water Filters were being set up in schools
5. Organised an awareness drive for plastic-free environment by the students and teachers in a public place
6. Organised an award programme with all the students and teachers for their outstanding performance

Location: Kolkata