The economic crisis that has arisen due to COVID-19 has created challenges for women in the slums and various other rural areas. Lack of access to sanitary pads has led to health and hygiene problems like UTIs, endometritis, and various other fatal diseases. The psychological impact of not being able to work effectively during their period cycle not only damages the mental health of girls but impedes their education as many of them drop out of school.
‘Bleed with pride’ was an initiative taken up by Oculus – S.P.I.T. in collaboration with the TEE Foundation, to address this issue and to spread the word of menstrual hygiene being a necessity and not a luxury. The donation drive of sanitary napkins was organized on 5th December 2021 at the entrance of Sardar Patel Institute of Technology.
The frontrunner of the NGO, Dr. Bharati Lavekar, MLA, Versova, played a huge role in guiding the students of S.P.I.T. in this cause. She is a social worker and recipient of numerous awards for her contribution to women’s upliftment, such as, ‘Ahilyabai Holkar Award’ (2000-2001), ‘Maharashtra Ratna Award’ (2005), ‘Maitrin Monthly Award’ (2005). With the guidance of such a well-renowned social worker, donations of around 18,000+ sanitary pads were received by the students of S.P.I.T.
The donation drive was open to all, and active participation was seen from not only the people from the Bhavan’s campus but also people across the area who showed their presence to contribute to this cause.
‘Oculus for a Cause’ is a prime aspect of Oculus, as students of S.P.I.T. believe in giving back to society, and ‘Bleed with Pride’ was a drive to create Menstrual Health Awareness and propagation through student crowd appeal.
“In India still, more than 300 million women and girls rely on old clothes/rags. These alarming statistics call for urgent action to spread menstrual health and hygiene practices and ensure easy access to sanitary napkins.
It is a matter of great social pride for us at Oculus to have collaborated with TEE Foundation and extend our humble contribution to their vision of propagating a world, where the girl child can grow up with dignity, respect, and equality to be a strong woman capable of a positive impact to the society.”
-Vedant Gaonkar (Chairperson – Oculus 2022)
– A report by Nikita Maria Joby