In this inspiring interview with Nishka and Kaanchi Utpat, co-founders of the Utpat Foundation, we dive into their incredible work advocating for menstrual health and education, particularly in underserved communities in India. As published authors and public health advocates, they have made it their mission to break down societal taboos surrounding menstruation and ensure that all women and girls have access to the resources they need to manage their health. Their foundation provides essential feminine hygiene products to schools in underserved areas, aiming to eliminate menstruation as a barrier to education and daily life.

Quotes:

“Education is really the key to healthcare because when people understand their health, they can manage it better.” – Nishka Utpat

“We wanted to bring awareness, education, and tangible feminine hygiene products to girls in underserved communities.” – Kaanchi Utpat

“It’s about advocating for what menstruation is and why every girl must learn about her own body without shame.” – Nishka Utpat

“At the beginning, our dad wasn’t as comfortable with the topic, but over time, he’s grown into one of our biggest advocates.” – Kaanchi Utpat

Takeaways:

Mission of the Utpat Foundation: The foundation focuses on raising awareness about menstrual health and providing sanitary products to girls in underserved communities, particularly inner-city schools in Mumbai, India.

Access to Hygiene Products: The foundation’s primary project, the "Amimi Project" (meaning "us girls" in Marathi), donates sanitary pads to girls every month, ensuring they have access to the products they need.

Advocacy Through Multiple Platforms: The Utpat sisters have created various platforms—including YouTube, blogs, and their recently published book—to spread awareness and share their personal experiences around menstruation.

Addressing Misinformation: They emphasize the importance of providing accurate and relatable information, as many girls might receive incomplete or inaccurate knowledge from social media, the internet, or family traditions.

Expanding Their Reach: The foundation is looking to expand its efforts beyond Mumbai, with plans to reach rural villages, create local manufacturing options to reduce costs, and establish systems for product disposal.

Conclusion:

Nishka and Kaanchi Utpat are not only advocates for menstrual health but also passionate about empowering underserved communities through education and tangible support. Their work with the Utpat Foundation is helping to dismantle the stigma surrounding menstruation while providing girls with the tools they need to thrive in school and beyond. As they continue to expand their reach, their mission is clear: to make menstruation a normal and open conversation, ensure that no girl is left behind, and ultimately create a world where women and girls have the resources they need to succeed.