The Valley
of Independence and Detachment
Millions of women across India – tribal, migrant workers, sex workers, differently-abled, homeless, continue to face many personal and socio-cultural menstrual challenges, from the indignity of not having a clean cloth to the absence of private spaces, livelihood and related issues of health and hygiene.
This is one of the challenges that Goonj, the NGO headquartered in Delhi, decided to tackle as a part of its social development initiatives. A countrywide campaign was launched to break the culture of shame and silence around menstruation, even as they began producing cloth sanitary pads, ‘My Pads’, to be distributed across the length and breadth of the country, for the last woman in rural and slum India, thereby addressing menstrual hygiene challenges with a ‘Triple A’ approach of Access, Awareness and Affordability.
It is inspiring to capture the sensitivity and detail to hygiene so evident at the Goonj manufacturing unit, at their Headquarters in Delhi. The commitment to their Vision is wonderfully displayed at their project sites at Banswara, Rajasthan, where we interact with the stakeholders with admiration and respect.
The Work
Goonj envisions growing as an idea across regions, economies and countries using urban discard as a tool to alleviate poverty and enhance the dignity of the underprivileged by evolving their own solutions. Our documentary 'Holding up Half the Sky' is an attempt to capture the essence of Goonj's work.
The Covid crisis has been a clarion call for all of us to share the Earth’s resources more equitably and move towards a more Compassionate Humanity.
Holding up Half the Sky The Valley Independence and Detachment
The Process
‘The Body Mapping' workshop that we conduct with a select group of 18 women of different age groups, in Rohaal Village, Banswara, is to gently push the boundaries of sexuality and empowered choices in a predominantly patriarchal society.
It is heartening to see how transparent and comfortable these women are, as they share their stories with us.
The Process Video The Valley of Independence and Detachment
The Gallery
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