The partnership will impact over 1,000 students and 40 women across four schools through structured menstrual health awareness sessions.
Mumbai, 14th November 2025: Ujaas, an initiative of the Aditya Birla Education Trust, founded by Ms Advaitesha Birla, today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Evonik India to launch a structured Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) awareness initiative across schools in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. The MoU was formally signed at VDS Public School, Turbhe, one of the participating schools in the program.
The event was graced by Ms. Poonam Patkar (Head of Ujaas Unit) and Ms. Steffi Fernando (Senior Manager) from Ujaas, Mr. Vinod Paremal (President & Managing Director, Evonik India Region), Ms. Vidya Gopinath (representative of Indo-German Chamber of Commerce as CSR Lead for Evonik India), and Ms. Prerna Sakpal (Sr. Manager, Communications) from Evonik India.
The program aims to reach over 1,000 individuals, including 398 girls, 602 boys, and 40 women from underserved communities, promoting awareness, education, and open dialogue around menstrual health and hygiene.
The initiative, titled “Grow Beyond Yourself – MHM Awareness Sessions by Ujaas,” will be conducted at Gurukul English High School, Malwani–Malad Jeevanjyoti International School, Malwani–Malad; Oxford English High School, Kamani Kurla; and VDS Public School, Navi Mumbai.
Designed to address menstrual taboos and promote health literacy, the awareness sessions help girls understand puberty, the menstrual cycle, and their reproductive health, giving clarity on the changes their bodies go through. It teaches practical skills in period hygiene, safe product use, and sustainable disposal, empowering girls to manage menstruation confidently, reduce stigma, track their cycles, and fostering confidence and self-awareness. Sessions with boys focus on encouraging them to be respectful, kind, and supportive at home, school, and in their communities. Special sessions for mothers will also include discussions on PCOD/PCOS, menopause, and how to support their daughters through menstruation.
Recent insights from the Ujaas Impact Report 2024-2025 underscore the importance of such interventions. The report says:
- 98% of adolescent girls who participated in Ujaas programs demonstrated a clear understanding of menstruation.
- 94% of girls correctly identified menstrual hygiene products, marking a 42% rise in product literacy.
- Among boys, there was a 47% increase in understanding what menstruation is, and 74% felt comfortable discussing menstruation with female relatives, reflecting growing inclusivity.
- The program also reduced stigma significantly, 95% of NSS students recognized menstruation as natural, not shameful, while 86% of adolescent girls rejected the notion of menstrual blood being unclean.
- Among Anganwadi workers, who play a key role in community education, 96% could confidently explain menstruation, and 94% could identify abnormal menstrual signs requiring medical attention.
These insights reinforce the transformative role of Ujaas in advancing menstrual health literacy and emphasize the need to continue engaging young audiences through school-based awareness programs.
Under this partnership, Ujaas will lead the awareness and facilitation of educational sessions in schools, while Evonik India will fund the initiative, supporting efforts to promote awareness and education among students.
Commenting on the collaboration, Poonam Patkar, Head of, Ujaas, said “This partnership reflects the collective will to create safe and inclusive spaces for menstrual education. At Ujaas, we believe that menstrual health is not a women’s issue alone, it’s a social issue that requires empathy, awareness, and engagement from all sections of society.”
Mr. Vinod Paremal, Evonik India stated “At Evonik, we believe that real progress begins with awareness and education. Our collaboration with Ujaas reflects our commitment to fostering inclusive growth and community well-being. By supporting menstrual health literacy among young students, we aim to help create informed, confident, and compassionate individuals who can shape a more equitable & inclusive future.”
Mrs. Gabriele Rettig, Chief Executive Advisor – CSR, Evonik Asia Pacific stated “Evonik’s CSR philosophy is centered on creating long-term community impact through education and empowerment. Our partnership with Ujaas reflects our belief that menstrual health awareness is not just a women’s issue, but a social imperative that drives inclusion, confidence, and equality. Together, we aspire to build informed communities where open dialogue replaces stigma and knowledge fosters dignity.”
Since its inception in 2021, Ujaas has conducted over 17,000 awareness sessions across India, touching the lives of more than 6 lakh individuals and distributing over 50 lakh sanitary napkins. Its Menstrual Health Express has travelled extensively across the country, engaging communities and promoting menstrual health awareness at the grassroots level.
Alongside its education and outreach efforts, Ujaas is also fostering economic empowerment through women-led, sustainable cloth pad manufacturing units, beginning with the successful launch of its first unit in Jalna. Looking ahead, Ujaas aims to scale its impact by expanding its reach across more districts and cities in Maharashtra, strengthening its commitment to enhancing access, generating employment, and promoting eco-friendly menstrual solutions at the grassroots level.
About Ujaas
Ujaas, a transformative initiative under the stewardship of the Aditya Birla Education Trust, is committed to fostering positive change and empowerment in the space of menstrual health and hygiene management. With an unwavering focus on driving awareness, breaking stereotypes and myths and contributing to social development in the space of menstrual health and hygiene, Ujaas epitomizes the Aditya Birla Education Trust ethos of contributing meaningfully to society.
Driven by a relentless pursuit of excellence, Ujaas leverages the values, resources, and expertise of the Aditya Birla Education Trust to create a lasting impact. By implementing awareness workshops and distribution of free pads, Ujaas serves as a beacon of progress and inclusivity.
Guided by the visionary principles of the Aditya Birla Education Trust, Ujaas embodies the belief that sustainable change begins at the grassroots level. Through collaborative efforts, strategic partnerships, and a deep-rooted commitment to uplift communities, Ujaas aspires to make a significant difference in the lives of underprivileged girls and society at large.
