Guwahati, March 10: In a game-changing move to tackle menstrual stigma and hygiene challenges in Assam’s tea estates, Wagh Bakri Tea Group has joined hands with Bal Raksha Bharat (Save the Children) to launch ‘Sakhi – Safe Periods for Tea Workers’.
The initiative, focused on the Oating and Sotai Tea Gardens, will provide 650 women and adolescent girls with access to menstrual health education, sustainable hygiene products, and life-skills training. It also aims to involve men and boys in breaking period taboos and fostering community-wide awareness.
This initiative seeks to break the stigma surrounding menstruation by providing access to menstrual health awareness, capacity building, and sustainable menstrual hygiene products. The project will engage 650 women and girls, alongside men and boys, to foster an inclusive community dialogue on menstrual health. Through awareness sessions, health camps, and life-skills training, ‘Sakhi’ aims to empower adolescent girls and women to manage their menstrual health with dignity, confidence, and safety.
Susan Thomas, Governing Council member of Bal Raksha Bharat and Kritanjali Kashyap, Manager-Programme Operations, Bal Raksha Bharat, Assam, emphasized the importance of the initiative, stating, “Women in tea gardens work tirelessly, yet their access to healthcare and hygiene remains limited, and their children often lack educational resources. This collaboration with Wagh Bakri Tea Group will provide much-needed support and create meaningful opportunities for these communities.”
By integrating with government programs such as Rashtriya Kishori Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK), the project ensures long-term sustainability and scalability. The initiative reinforces the belief that empowering women and girls strengthens entire communities, paving the way for better health, gender equality, and improved livelihoods.
Bal Raksha Bharat (Save the Children) is a leading child rights organization dedicated to ensuring every child gets a healthy start, the opportunity to learn, and protection from harm. With a strong focus on health, nutrition, education, child protection, and disaster response, Bal Raksha Bharat works in close collaboration with governments, communities, and corporate partners to create sustainable and impactful solutions that improve the lives of vulnerable children and their families across India.
