Research Projects

Menstruation is a natural biological phenomenon in women's bodies, but its perception and attitudes are often influenced by patriarchal disdain. This culture of shame silence, even among older women, exacerbates the challenges faced by adolescent girls who lack knowledge and opportunities for healthy educational conversations. Over half of India's population is unaware of menstruation and fear of dying due to sudden bleeding and physical discomforts. Menstruation also imposes various restrictions on women's lives, leading to psycho-social impediments that affect the quality of life of the entire family. Mental health concerns regarding menstruation are often overlooked, with most preoccupation being confined to addressing superstitions, taboos, and stigmas associated with periods. To address these issues, inclusive strategic narratives should be developed that associate men with menstruation by developing scientific perception that transcends biological issues to include relevant psycho-social parameters. Mediated Communication for Behaviour Change Participation using emerging Cognitive Technology is proposed to inculcate awareness among major stakeholders, such as adolescent girls and family communities, and improve their knowledge, perception, and attitude to deal with this vital issue. The project will work on the principles of Qualitative Action Research, using cross-sectional longitudinal research design and ethnographic research.