Menstrual blood is impure. Women on periods should not touch a pickle jar, stay away from babies and definitely avoid stepping into temples. These are just some of the myths that Sharmada Shastry, a Bengaluru-based menstrual health instructor, has been trying to bust over the last year through menstrual hygiene management sessions and workshops in Hindi, English and Kannada. “The lack of awareness about menstruation is not only limited to rural areas but the metros too. Women in cities may have a little more information but it may not be entirely right,” says the 25-year-old, who holds a Masters degree in English with a specialisation in Gender and Sexuality.

A cloth pad mandala created by Eco Femme