Free Sanitary Pad Distribution & Menstrual Hygiene Awareness Campaign

Organized by: Rohilkhand Medical College and Hospital

Location: Rural Health Training Centre (RHTC), Rithora, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh

Date: May 27, 2026

 Occasion: World Menstrual Hygiene Day (28-05-2026)

Date of Event: May 27, 2026

Executive Summary

On the occasion of World Menstrual Hygiene Day 2026, the Rural Health Training Centre (RHTC), Rithora, organized a successful community outreach program focused on breaking taboos and promoting safe menstrual health practices. The event featured educational sessions, medical consultations, creative awareness displays, and a free sanitary pad distribution drive targeted at women and adolescent girls in the rural areas of Bareilly.

The initiative aimed to increase accessibility to hygiene products and foster open conversations about menstrual wellness, aligning with global efforts to ensure menstrual equity.

Key Highlights & Activities

• Free Sanitary Pad Distribution:A core component of the drive was ensuring that underprivileged women and young girls received free packages of sanitary napkins. RHTC volunteers and medical staff personally distributed the kits, emphasizing the health risks associated with unhygienic traditional practices.
• Awareness & Educational Sessions:Led by qualified female doctors and healthcare professionals from the Rohilkhand medical team, an interactive seminar was conducted. The sessions covered vital topics including:
  • Proper usage and hygienic disposal of sanitary products.
  • The biological facts of menstruation to dismantle prevailing social stigmas.
  • Nutritional guidance and managing menstrual cramps safely.
• Creative Awareness (Rangoli Display):To engagingly convey the message, a vibrant and symbolic Rangoli art piece was created by the team. The colorful, circular design featured a central blood droplet motif surrounded by educational messages, visually promoting the theme of menstrual dignity and health.
• Media Coverage & Community Engagement:The event drew significant local participation and was widely recognized. Local Hindi news dailies extensively covered the initiative, praising RHTC Rithora’s efforts to uplift rural women’s health standards.

Leadership and Participation–

The event was conducted under the combined guidance of-

Dr. Rajnish Pataniya (Principal, Rohilkhand Medical College)

Dr. Rashmi Katyal (Head of Department)

Dr. Piyush Gupta (Co-Lead)

A dedicated team of senior and junior resident doctors actively coordinated the efforts, including Pgs of Obs- gynae and Community medicine PGs and Interns .

The field workers and RHTC staff also supported to make this event successful.

Conclusion

The Menstrual Hygiene Day initiative by Rohilkhand RHTC Rithora successfully bridged the gap between healthcare resources and rural communities. By combining material support (free pads) with vital education, the event made a tangible impact on local public health, empowering women to manage their cycles with dignity, safety, and confidence.