SUMMIT REPORT, Gangtok 27 Feb:
In an initiative to promote menstrual health, the NGO Sachhi Saheli, in collaboration with the Sikkim government, celebrated Menstrual Health and Awareness Day 2025 with an engaging event titled ‘Period Fest’ at Timberbong School. The theme for this year, “Men for Menstruation,” aimed to highlight the vital role men play in creating a supportive and stigma-free environment around menstruation.
The day began with an inspiring Pad Yatra, where students from Soreng School marched to Soreng market, proudly holding placards shaped like pads and adorned with empowering messages. Their enthusiastic chants filled the streets, challenging long-standing societal taboos and advocating for menstrual equality.
The event was honored by the presence of Chief Guest MLA Aditya Goley, who commended the efforts of Sachhi Saheli and underscored the importance of fostering a stigma-free culture in Sikkim. Dr. Surbhi Singh, President of Sachhi Saheli, inaugurated the festivities with a passionate address advocating for the normalization of menstruation. A symbolic cap toss marked a significant moment during the event, as students discarded caps inscribed with fears and stigma, replacing them with new ones emblazoned with the slogan, “Ab Pata Chalne Do” (Now Let It Be Known).
Participants then engaged in an interactive Period Fest featuring various themed zones designed to educate and empower. The Health Zone provided insights from experts who dispelled common myths surrounding menstrual health, while the Pad Zone showcased a variety of reusable and disposable menstrual products, helping students make informed choices. In the Fun Zone, participants enjoyed games like a period myth-busting version of Snake and Ladder and the Amla Juice Period Quiz, all aimed at breaking taboos through engaging and interactive learning.
Throughout the day, students had the opportunity to express their aspirations for a future where menstruation is fully normalized at the Wish Tree. A Selfie Point allowed participants to mark their hands with red spots, symbolizing their commitment to dismantling menstrual stigma.
Cultural performances added depth to the event, with Timberbong School presenting a thought-provoking play on the challenges associated with menstruation. The students from Dodang School performed a vibrant Nepali dance that celebrated menstrual positivity, while participants from Bariakhop and Pakigaon showcased their talents through skits and dances, creatively addressing and dismantling menstrual taboos.
This initiative reinforced the crucial message that menstruation is not merely a women’s issue but a collective societal responsibility. The success of the ‘Period Fest’ marks the beginning of a larger movement, with plans to expand menstrual awareness initiatives across India, fostering a more informed and supportive community.
