Inside HerZindagi X OnlyMyHealth's Period Party: One-Of-A-Kind Initiative To Celebrate Menstruation, Encourage Open Dialogue & Smash Shame

In a move to flip the narrative of shame around menstruation, Jagran New Media's Health and Lifestyle websites - HerZindagi.com and OnlyMyHealth.com collaborated to host a one-of-a-kind period party. The intent was to encourage an open dialogue around periods that have been subject to stigma for the longest time, create awareness around menstrual hygiene and products and challenge the deep-rooted taboos. The event brought together menstruators under one roof for a #BloodyGoodTime.

Menstrual hygiene experts, period educators, menstruation activists, gynaecologists, and nutritionists were in attendance at the period party among others. The guest list included names like Prachi Kaushik (Founder and Director of Vyomini Social Foundation), Dr. Anjali Kumar (MBBS, MD- Gynecologist & Obstetrician), Pooja Sehgal (Pooja Sehgal, Counsellor, Lotus Petal Senior Secondary School), Swati Bathwal (Public Health Dietician, Diabetes Educator), Chandani Khurana (Founder of Humari Duniya), Rudrani Chettri (Transgender Rights Activist and Founder Member, Mitr trust), Mansi Gulati (Author, Face Yoga Expert), Shabnam Khan (Menstrual Educator), Latika Joshi (Author) and Krutika (Founder and Director, Kamakhya).

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The event began with a welcome address by AVP & Business Head- Health & Lifestyle, Megha Mamgain where she shared some of her anecdotes.Associate Vice President and Head of HerZindagi & OnlyMyHeahlth, Megha Mamgain said, "It is time to flip the narrative of shame around periods. Period Party is our way of challenging stigmas and stereotypes and celebrating a healthy physiological function of the body. As websites catering to millions of readers across the country and the world we acknowledge our responsibility in spreading factually and ethically correct information that will have lasting impacts in the society. Even today young girls have to drop out of schools when they start menstruating, women in our country are still ashamed of buying menstrual hygiene products, many can't afford it. And while we know that a 'period party' will not change the world overnight, we at at-least start a conversation, a mobilization of community geared for change."

It was followed up with other menstruators having an open dialogue on cramps, tampons, period stains, taboos, PMS symptoms, and a lot more. Fun period games like period bingo, passing the menstrual cup were organised to break the shame around menstruation, and they ended up becoming quite a hit among all attendees.

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Experts covering different aspects of menstruation also took center stage at the event. Nutritionist Swati Bathwal talked about what is impacting the early onset of periods in girls. Dr Anjali Kumar answered questions about menstrual hygiene and period education, Counsellor Pooja Sehgal shared tips on counselling girls around periods and Period Activist Prachi Kaushik stressed on menstrual taboos and the need to break them. Rudrani Chettri brought the aspect of shame and stigma that menstruating transmen face.

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A specially curated period menu with delectable food and drinks from the venue partner House Of Migo further added flavour to the party. All the attendees went back home with a bag full of goodies from gifting partners - PeeSafe, Bevzilla, Fix My Curls, Type Beauty Inc. and Nutrizoe.