What specific experiences inspired you to establish Wreetu?
In 2016, while working with young girls as part of an NGO project, I noticed a concerning trend. Some of the girls started isolating themselves, missing school and activities. When I spoke with them, I discovered they were confused and ashamed about the physical changes puberty and menstruation bring. Menstruation is a natural part of growing up, and Wreetu’s mission is to equip young girls with accurate and practical information about the topic, while also addressing cultural norms that contribute to the silence around it. By associating menstruation with shame and secrecy, patriarchal structures discourage girls from discussing their experiences. This silences girls’ voices and prevents them from advocating for their needs regarding menstrual health products, education, and workplace accommodations. When girls understand their bodies and their cycles, they feel empowered to manage their periods with confidence. This positively impacts their self-esteem, participation in daily activities, and overall well- being. Wreetu hopes to break the stigma and provide a nurturing space for girls to learn and grow.
How does Wreetu’s key initiatives support the growth and development of young girls and boys?
I have a Master’s degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) from BRAC University, which has been valuable in designing Wreetu’s interactive workshops on puberty, menstruation, and reproductive health for both girls and boys in Dhaka and other districts. We also train young volunteers to effectively communicate accurate information on these topics, taking into account cultural sensitivities.Through our efforts, we aim to foster a well-informed and confident generation that understands and supports menstrual health. Additionally, Wreetu offers washable, environmentally friendly, and economically viable sanitary napkins that are manufactured by underprivileged women, with the aim of promoting menstrual hygiene.
We have developed a one-of-a-kind comic book to educate adolescent girls. The content of the book is based on input from adolescents who participated in our workshops, making it relatable and engaging for fifth to eighth graders. In creating it, I collaborated with a gynecologist to ensure medical accuracy and sought additional feedback from other doctors. It covers topics such as physical and emotional changes during puberty, the menstrual cycle, pain management, exercise, nutrition, and cycle tracking. The Chakma version of this book was a tremendous success in Rangamati and Khagrachhari. Over 100,000 individuals have benefited from it. We also offer a carefully designed comic book for teenage boys that touches upon topics such as puberty, consent, and masturbation, empowering them to make informed choices about their bodies and relationships.
Menstruation is a natural part of growing up, and Wreetu’s mission is to equip young girls with accurate and practical information about the topic, while also addressing cultural norms that contribute to the silence around it.
What role does Wreetu play in addressing the discomfort families encounter when discussing menstruation?
Even well-educated families in our society find it difficult to discuss menstruation with girls, leading to fear, uncertainty, and unhealthy practices due to lack of support. A girl’s first period marks her transition into womanhood. I’ve noticed that many mothers feel insecure as their daughters become more independent and seek information from outside sources. They hesitate to share knowledge about menstruation with their daughters because they fear it may encourage early sexual activity. This misconception needs to be handled delicately, as it is rooted in cultural taboos and a lack of accurate information. Interestingly, I have encountered many fathers who are more open to learning about and discussing periods compared to mothers, which inspired us at Wreetu to create a video series and a guide specifically for them. I have seen brothers purchasing our comic book for adolescent girls to give to their sisters. Through their initiative to learn about the menstrual cycle, these boys demonstrated their willingness to understand what their sisters go through, which is a powerful act of support.
What challenges has Wreetu faced when implementing menstrual health workshops in schools, and how has it contributed to shifting perspectives on this topic?
When we started out, many schools did not permit Wreetu’s workshops on their premises, inadvertently reinforcing the harmful idea that the natural biological process of menstruation is something to be ashamed of or hidden. However, I believe that things are changing. An example of this progress is a workshop we conducted at a school in Kishoreganj. We began by hosting a workshop for teenage boys, focused on their journey through puberty. Their male head teacher then requested a similar workshop for the girls on the same day.The workshop was attended by 83 girls, and their overwhelming participation demonstrated the need and desire for accurate information and guidance. It is heartening to see educators recognising this need and collaborating with organisations like ours to provide students with the resources and knowledge they need to navigate the different stages of their development.