Periods, Privilege & Padman: What World Menstrual Hygiene Day Should Remind Us

This article has been written by our Founder Nikita Naterwalla 

Growing up in an urban Indian household, I never questioned the presence of sanitary pads in our bathroom cabinets. They were as common as my toothbrush and toothpaste.

My first period came with mild embarrassment, hushed conversations, and a hot water bag — but never with fear or shame.

I always had access to clean toilets, painkillers, and supportive friends.
I never had to skip school because of my period.
I never had to choose between buying a pad or a meal.
I never had to use ash, husk, or newspaper to manage my flow.

But millions of girls in India don't!

On this World Menstrual Hygiene Day - 28th of May, I find myself reflecting on the stark contrast between my experience and that of countless women across our country. Despite progress, menstrual hygiene remains a luxury for many.

In rural India, only about 72% of women aged 15–24 use hygienic methods during their periods, compared to 89% in urban areas. This gap isn't just about products; it's about awareness, accessibility, and dignity. And it breaks my heart that in 2025, we're still talking about basics.

The 2018 film Padman, starring Akshay Kumar, brought this issue to the forefront. Based on the life of Arunachalam Muruganantham, the movie shed light on the challenges faced by women in rural India regarding menstrual hygiene. Muruganantham’s journey began when he discovered his wife using dirty rags during her periods because they couldn’t afford sanitary pads.

Determined to find a solution, he faced ridicule and ostracism but eventually invented a low-cost sanitary pad-making machine. His innovation not only provided affordable sanitary products but also created employment opportunities for women in rural areas. And yet — despite such inspiring stories — the challenges persist.

Many girls still lack basic knowledge about menstruation.

A study found that 71% of girls in India had no knowledge of menstruation before their first period. This lack of awareness, combined with cultural taboos, leads to shame, school dropouts, and long-term health issues. It’s easy to feel disconnected from this reality when our own experiences are so different.
At Caim by Arelang, we’ve always believed that wellness is a right, not a luxury. And when it comes to menstrual health, it’s not just about sanitary pads and clean toilets. It's about hormonal balance, emotional health, dignity, and education — all working together.

But awareness must lead to action.

At Caim by Arelang, we’ve always believed that wellness is a right, not a luxury. And when it comes to menstrual health, it’s not just about sanitary pads and clean toilets. It's about hormonal balance, emotional health, dignity, and education — all working together.

It’s about seeing the woman, not just the symptom.

That’s exactly why we created Rekindle for Women — our sugar-free, hormone-balancing chocolate made with clinically studied natural ingredients like Shatavari, Black Cohosh, Flaxseeds, and Soy Isoflavones.

It’s not a magic fix. It’s science meeting support. Its for all the women quietly battling PMS, PCOS, postpartum shifts, or menopause, often with very little guidance or care. But our philosophy goes deeper than just products.

We believe in restoring what the body forgets, not replacing it with temporary band-aids.
That’s why all our formulations are free from nasties, synthetic hormones, or quick-fix crutches. Every ingredient is there with purpose — to rebuild your body's own capacity to regulate, heal, and thrive.

And yes, we know we are the lucky ones — those of us who can choose hormone-balancing supplements, who can access OB-GYNs without fear or shame, who can take a day off if the cramps get unbearable. But what about the ones who can’t?

This World Menstrual Hygiene Day, let’s move beyond acknowledgment.

Let’s commit to ensuring that every girl and woman in India can manage her period with dignity and safety. Let’s donate, educate, support, and show up — with our voices, our privilege, and yes, even with our businesses.

At Caim, this isn’t just a day on the calendar for us. It’s a reminder of why we started this journey in the first place — to bring dignity, joy, and actual results to women’s health. Not just in our cities, but one day, everywhere.

Because menstrual hygiene shouldn’t be a privilege. It is a right!

And we’ll keep building toward that — one product, one conversation, one woman at a time.