NCW and SHEWings Foundation Mark World Menstrual Hygiene Day 2026 with National Awareness Dialogue.
Union Minister for Women & Child Development, NCW Chairperson, and healthcare experts call for dignity, awareness, and stigma-free conversations around menstrual health.
New Delhi | May 28, 2026
On the occasion of World Menstrual Hygiene Week 2026, the National Commission for Women (NCW), in collaboration with SHEWings Foundation, organised a special national dialogue on menstrual health and women’s well-being at the NCW Auditorium, New Delhi.
The programme witnessed the gracious presence of Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Women & Child Development, Smt. Savitri Thakur, NCW Chairperson, Dr Vijaya Rahatkar, and Founder of SHEWings Madan Mohit Bhardwaj, along with healthcare experts, educators, social leaders, and youth participants.
Specifically, the event focused on promoting widespread awareness, dignity, accessibility, and open conversations around menstruation. Consequently, organisers hope these discussions will encourage a more inclusive and period-friendly society. Furthermore, this collaborative initiative aims to eliminate deep-rooted social taboos. Ultimately, these efforts will pave the way for long-term policy reforms.
In addition, she noted that breaking the silence around this topic is essential for societal progress. Consequently, the ministry plans to launch new grassroots educational campaigns across the country. Furthermore, these initiatives will ensure that affordable hygiene products become accessible to all school-going girls. The Minister highlighted the importance of educating young girls, breaking social taboos, and ensuring access to hygienic menstrual products and healthcare support.
Speaking at the event, NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar said, “Periods are not shameful, they are a natural biological process. Society must move from silence to awareness and from stigma to dignity. Open conversations and education are the need of the hour.
”Founder of SHEWings Foundation, Madan Mohit Bhardwaj, stated: “We aim to create awareness at the grassroots level and ensure that every girl and woman feels safe, informed, and respected during menstruation. Menstrual hygiene is directly connected to women’s health, confidence, and empowerment.”
The programme included expert discussions on:
- Menstrual hygiene and awareness
- PCOS and hormonal health
- Nutrition and emotional well-being
- Breaking myths and taboos around menstruation
- Importance of preventive healthcare
- Building supportive environments for girls and women
An interactive audience session encouraged students and participants to openly discuss menstrual myths, challenges, and healthcare accessibility.
The event concluded with a collective pledge towards creating a more aware, inclusive, and stigma-free society under the global vision of a #PeriodFriendlyWorld by 2030.