Our Work
Workshops
12th February 2022: Workshop with underprivileged women at Mahipalpur, Delhi
In collaboration with Hamari Pahchan, we visited 14 women residing in the Mahipalpur neighbourhood in Delhi. We hosted a workshop with them, talking to them in Hindi about menstrual health and introducing them to Polycystic ovary syndrome as well as its symptoms and causes. Accompanying us was Dr. Poonam Gupta (BHMS, PGD-PPHC (post graduate degree in preventive and promotive healthcare), MSc-CFT(P); with more than 20 years experience), who helped us to address any doubts the women had regarding their own reproductive health, symptoms and their potential links to PCOS.
9th April 2022: Webinar with middle class women and girls on PCOS
Project RHYMe teamed up with Dr. Puja Sharma (MD Obstetrics & Gynecology, MBBS, FMAS, DCCG), a practising gynaecologist with over 18 years of experience in the field, and 12 years as a specialist, to host ‘A Conversation on PCOS,’: an interactive webinar. Over the course of 45 minutes, we delivered a unique presentation on the causes, symptoms and potential treatments of PCOS, and opened the platform for attendees to voice their concerns or ask questions related to menstrual wellbeing and PCOS.
28th May 2022: Workshop with underprivileged women at Bhawarsingh Camp, Vasant Kunj, Delhi
Interacted with 20 women at the Bhawarsingh Camp in Vasant Kunj. We discussed PCOS and its causes, symptoms and treatments, as well as the importance of good menstrual hygiene and diet in combating and preventing related health issues.
20th June 2022: Workshop with underprivileged women at Coolie Camp, Vasant Kunj, Delhi
The workshop was attended by 30 women at the Coolie camp in Vasant Vihar. I experimented with Menstrual Bingo, to encourage the women to start thinking about menstruation and engaging with our discussions on periods and reproductive health. The game helped women in letting down their guard and talking more freely about their problems
20th July 2022: Workshop with school girls at General Raj School, Delhi
Project RHYMe held another successful session this time with the support of Dr. Puja Sharma. We spoke to 30 students in 8th and 9th grade at General Raj’s school, discussing menstrual health and hygiene, and PCOS, and using the menstrual bingo game to help the children engage with the topic.
Fundraising & Kit Donation
After pairing with Hamari Pahchan, we launched an extensive fundraising campaign in order to support their work increasing access to menstrual hygiene products and resources for women in underprivileged communities in Delhi. In March 2022 we succeeded in raising 51,001 INR, which we used to purchase and donate 36 sanitary kits to women associated with the NGO. The kits contained pads, soap, paper disposal envelopes, hand sanitizer, and disinfectant for washing undergarments. We distributed the Sukhad sanitary kits and spoke to the women there about how to use them effectively.
Menstrual Hygiene Day 2022
On May 28th, 2022, Project RHYMe delivered a workshop at the Oceanic International School in Dehradun, to mark Menstrual Hygiene Day, an annual awareness day started by WASH United. Accompanied by Dr. Pallavi Singh (DGO, MBBS), we spoke to 60 students aged 13-18, as well as 27 female members of staff at the school, about menstrual hygiene practices, menstrual wellbeing, and how to recognise disorders such as PCOS. We also distributed copies of the RHYMe Period Tracker, and the Women’s Health Special Curriculum.
Following the success of this, Project RHYMe also officially partnered with WASH United! You can read more about them, and the goals of Menstrual Hygiene Day, here.
Awareness Campaigning
Since our founding, we have been working to campaign for greater awareness of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and its related diseases, and have been doing so via multiple avenues. As well as our webinar and workshops, we’ve also delivered talks at the Woodstock school for both teachers and students, and we plan to continue connecting with more schools across India to help spread the word.
In May 2022, Project RHYMe implemented an awareness day at the Woodstock School ‘Festival of Ideas,’ to coincide with Menstrual Hygiene Day. We hosted an information stall, where we distributed copies of the Women’s Health Special Curriculum and Period Tracker, and encouraged students and staff to contribute to activities related to menstrual health awareness, including the ‘Myth busting machine’ and ‘Wall of Fame.’ We also created and distributed teal ribbons, which are used in awareness campaigns for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.
