A dissemination workshop under the “Women with Wings” project, focusing on menstrual health, hygiene management, and the acceptability of menstrual cups, was organised at Hotel Marriott, Gomti Nagar, Lucknow, by Vatsalya in collaboration with Uttar Pradesh Development Systems Corporation Ltd. (UPDESCO). The event brought together senior government officials, health experts, NGOs, media, and institutional representatives, positioning the project within the state’s broader public health and sustainability agenda.
The Chief Guest was Mr Amit Kumar Ghosh (IAS), Additional Chief Secretary, Medical Health & Family Welfare and Principal Secretary, Medical Education, GOUP. Other key dignitaries included Dr Uma Singh (Retired Professor, KGMU), Dr Neha Jain (Managing Director, UPDESCO), WASH experts Mr Punit Srivastava and Mrs Anjali Tripathi, and Mrs Priyanka, Member Secretary of the State Women's Commission, along with representatives from NGOs and the media.
The Chief Guest highlighted that women constitute nearly half of the population and yet their health needs remain under-prioritised, calling for sustained interventions and integration of menstrual health education into the school curriculum. Vatsalya ‘s Chief Functionary emphasised the environmental burden of disposable sanitary pads, noting their role in sewer blockages and unsafe disposal in open spaces and toilets, which adds pressure on urban sanitation systems.
The workshop functioned as a collaborative platform linking government departments, development partners, subject experts, and community representatives around the shared goal of sustainable menstrual health management in Uttar Pradesh. Discussions reinforced the importance of scaling menstrual cup interventions, integrating menstrual health into school and community programs, and aligning with state efforts on digital and social sector innovation led by entities like UPDESCO. The “Women with Wings” experience demonstrates a viable pathway to simultaneously advance women’s health, dignity, and environmental sustainability in urban and peri-urban communities of Lucknow and beyond.