As part of World Menstrual Hygiene Day 2026, Ujaas, an initiative of the Aditya Birla Education Trust (ABET), partnered with Central Railway Mumbai to bring menstrual health, dignity, and rights into the heart of public discourse at Mumbai's iconic Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT).
Observed globally on 28th May, World Menstrual Hygiene Day serves as a reminder that access to menstrual health information, products, facilities, and supportive environments remains a critical issue for millions. This year, Ujaas sought to take the conversation beyond traditional awareness campaigns and into one of the city's busiest public spaces, creating opportunities for meaningful engagement with everyday commuters.
The initiative featured interactive activities designed to encourage reflection, dialogue, and participation. Through myth-busting exercises, public opinion activities, and conversations around menstrual rights, commuters were invited to examine common misconceptions and express what menstrual dignity should look like across schools, workplaces, healthcare facilities, transport hubs, and public spaces.
A key highlight of the campaign was the illumination of the historic CSMT building in red, a powerful symbol of visibility, solidarity, and the collective commitment to breaking menstrual stigma. The landmark transformation served as a reminder that menstruation is a natural part of life and that creating supportive environments requires collective action from individuals, institutions, and communities alike.
The activities generated enthusiastic participation from commuters across age groups, reflecting a growing willingness to engage in conversations that have traditionally remained shrouded in silence. The responses gathered through the initiative also provided valuable insights into public perceptions of menstrual rights and the changes people believe are needed to create more inclusive and equitable spaces.
Through this initiative, Ujaas reaffirmed its commitment to advancing menstrual health awareness, promoting menstrual dignity, and creating platforms that encourage open conversations around menstruation. By bringing these discussions into a prominent public setting, the campaign aimed to normalize menstruation, challenge stigma, and contribute to a future where menstrual health is recognized as a matter of dignity, inclusion, and rights for all.