May 10, 2018
Even months after the release of "Pad Man", Bollywood star
Akshay Kumar has continued his effort to spread awareness about menstrual
hygiene. He has now lent support to a new campaign, bridging the gap between
sanitary napkin users from 18 per cent to 82 per cent.
The #18to82
campaign is a part of the Niine Movement, aimed at raising awareness about
menstrual hygiene and tackling the age-old stigma against menstruation across
both genders and all age groups.
Akshay, who boldly tackled the issue in
Hindi film "Pad Man", took to social media to support the campaign with the
message: "Only 18 per cent of Indian women use sanitary napkins vs 82 per cent
who use unhygienic means. I support the #NIINEMovement which breaks the taboos
on periods. Help bridge the gap from #18to82."
The actor said in a
statement: "Open and unafraid conversations on menstruation are powerful as they
help to breakdown taboos... Menstrual hygiene is an urgent issue that we must
resolve in India.
"Together, we can ensure that every female has the
right to manage her period safely and with dignity, and the Niine Movement can
drive the social revolution that India needs to initiate change for an entire
country. The empowerment of women is the empowerment of a nation."
The
Niine Movement is conceived by social entrepreneur Amar Tulsiyan.
Tulsiyan said: "We each have a responsibility to do what we can to tackle the
taboos around menstruation and educate the next generation about periods in the
right way. It is my hope that through the campaign, the Niine Movement becomes
the spark that leads the way in bringing menstrual hygiene and dignity to every
woman and girl in India."
An ambitious five-year plan committed to
grass-root change, the movement will be launched at the Menstrual Awareness
Conclave, to be held here on Menstrual Hygiene Awareness Day on May 28. It will
convene film personalities, academics, policymakers, government officials,
activists, business stalwarts, NGOs and thought-leaders, including Akshay, to
discuss the impact that stigma and taboos on menstruation have had on holding
girls and women back for centuries.