In the remote flood prone village of Gadhghat, access to basic healthcare is scarce due to the lack of nearby health centres. Deep rooted social norms discourage adolescent girls from following proper hygiene practices, while gender barriers and financial constraints further increase their health risks.

To address these challenges, the project team established seventeen adolescent girls groups and sanitary napkin banks across eighteen villages. These safe spaces were created to help girls learn about their health, access sanitary napkins, and support one another.

Amidst this effort, Sunita, a member of one such group, emerged as a true changemaker. Despite receiving little encouragement from her parents, she took it upon herself to motivate other girls in the community to adopt proper menstrual hygiene practices and make use of the sanitary napkin bank.

Recognizing her dedication, the project team appointed her as the leader of the Adolescent Girls Collective in her village and entrusted her with managing the local sanitary napkin bank. As the impact of her work became visible and girls began to shift their attitudes, even her initially hesitant parents were convinced. They started attending health sessions organized by the project and became advocates for women’s health in the community.

When Sunita shared her dream of pursuing higher education, a dream threatened by financial limitations, the project team stepped in once more. They connected her with a government financial aid program, ensuring that nothing would stand between her and her aspirations.

Today, Sunita has secured admission to the Home Science Honours program at Dr. Shri Krishan Sinha Women’s College, Motihari. “I want to become an example for the adolescent girls of my community. Along with spreading awareness about menstrual hygiene, I want to continue my higher studies.”