Breaking Period Taboos: How CACR Is Building Healthier Habits Among Children (VIDEO)

Nitin Wadhwani founded the Citizens Association for Child Rights (CACR) in 2013 after witnessing the banishment of young girls to menstrual huts in Nepal and similar practices closer to home. CACR focuses on bridging the gap between government policies and grassroots beneficiaries, particularly in the areas of children's education, health, safety and participation. Two of its core initiatives are menstrual health and hygiene, and personal hygiene, which includes promoting handwashing with soap.

The menstrual hygiene programme, supported by UNICEF, aims to dispel myths and misconceptions around menstruation. They provide education on menstruation, reproductive health, myths and taboos, nutrition, period pain and safe disposal of menstrual waste. Their structured programme has reached over 1.5 lakh adolescent girls in Mumbai, Thane, and Palghar over the years. They collaborate with government schools and train teachers, mothers, and school management committees to foster a supportive ecosystem for change.

Similarly, CACR's personal hygiene initiative arose from observing children leaving school toilets without washing their hands. They teach children the importance of handwashing and good hygiene to prevent illnesses. The programme has reached around one lakh children in various schools, trained nearly a thousand teachers, and engaged parents and school communities.

UNICEF's partnership with CACR, spanning nearly a decade, has focused on enhancing handwashing and menstrual hygiene management. This collaboration has led to meaningful action at the grassroots level, focusing on vulnerable groups and turning awareness into sustained action.