Her Haq: Breaking Taboos, Empowering Women

Raised by a single parent, Aanya Wig witnessed the remarkable strength and resilience of the women in her life, which inspired her belief in women’s capabilities. However, as she ventured beyond her household, she confronted the harsh reality of gender inequality. Motivated by this realization, Aanya, along with her batch mates Saumya, Anam, and Arunima, initiated Girl Up Rise an empowering student collective under the United Nations Foundation.

Girl Up Rise, now known as Her Haq, focuses on menstrual hygiene management, women’s health, legal literacy, and financial literacy. Aanya, a Lady Shri Ram College (LSR) alumna, recognized the disparities in access that many girls in India face and was determined to bridge the gap. The collective began their journey in 2019, aiming to provide resources and knowledge to girls across the nation.

Despite facing pandemic-related challenges, Her Haq launched online advocacy campaigns, including the #SpotTheStigma initiative to combat period poverty. Through fundraising efforts, they collected Rs. 35,000, enabling the distribution of 10,000 sanitary napkins to communities in six states. The collective also collaborates with NGOs to conduct workshops that educate both girls and boys about periods, aiming to break taboos and foster open conversations.

To achieve their vision of ending period poverty through education, Her Haq developed comprehensive menstrual health modules, covering various topics such as bodily changes, menstrual hygiene, and when to seek medical assistance. Vetted by gynecologists, these modules are available in vernacular languages to ensure effective communication.

Beyond menstrual hygiene, Her Haq encourages women to demand clean water and affordable sanitary products from their leaders and representatives. By empowering women to assert their rights, the organization envisions a society where women’s needs are met without external intervention.

Recently, Her Haq joined forces with Parkshala, an NGO focused on underprivileged children’s education, to conduct workshops aimed at destigmatizing menstruation. By involving boys in these conversations, the initiative seeks to foster a more inclusive and empathetic understanding of menstruation.

Having transitioned from Girl Up Rise to Her Haq, the not-for-profit organization continues to work towards gender equality and women’s empowerment. With three pillars—menstrual hygiene management, legal literacy, and financial literacy—Her Haq strives to address the Sustainable Development Goals and create a gender-equal world.

Supported by a team of over 80 volunteers, Her Haq operates primarily through self-funding and donations in kind. As they work towards registration, the organization aims to expand their efforts and mentor young girls in initiating their own projects.

Through their unwavering dedication to gender equality, Her Haq is breaking down barriers, empowering women, and fostering a society where every woman’s voice is heard and respected.

Re-Reported from the source originally published in NDTV.