City artists celebrate Menstrual Hygiene Day through their art

On the occasion of Menstrual Hygiene Day, a unique drive Udaan Pitara- Art for the change’ was launched in the city. Vasudha Jan Vikas Sansthan in association with Lalit Kala Akademi began the drive with an aim to ensure awareness regarding the access to menstrual hygiene.

Using art to spread awareness depicting menstrual health and hygiene, city artists painted suggestion boxes which will be further installed in different Govt. schools. Adolescent girls can write their problems and put in these suggestion boxes and experts will resolve their issues. An exhibition of the painted suggestion boxes was hosted at Akademi campus, which also got appreciation from Laxman Vyas, Chairman Lalit Kala Akademi. Entrepreneur Shweta Mehta Modi too discussed more about the drive and its impact with the artists at the exhibition.

Informs Mona Sharma, founder-director of Vasudha Jan Vikas Sansthan, “More than 50 artists from Jaipur participated in the first phase of the project. In the second phase, we will rope in artists from different cities, with a target of 1000 boxes to be installed in Govt. schools all across the state. We are overwhelmed with the response of our artists who created art works not for the sake of it but to spread the message about the same. With the help of artists of Rajasthan we are ensuring public participation for an issue which has always been considered a taboo subject.”

Large number of young artists including both boys and girls participated in the awareness campaign. Rekha Agarwal, an artist shared, “Women’s health and hygiene has been a serious concern and I wish to contribute through my art. The initiative will definitely make an impact.” The artists depicted menstrual hygiene challenges faced by young girls, especially in rural areas. Taking an inspiration from Warli art, Rekha Agrawal depicted young girls playing in an open ground while another artist Shakuntala painted the suggestion box focusing on motivating public through her art.