Ria Govil is the founder and director of The Paree Project and a senior at The Pingry School in Basking Ridge, NJ. Inspired by early experiences of menstruation taboos in both her personal life and stories from India, Ria launched The Paree Project to improve menstrual health awareness in rural villages near Delhi. Passionate about creating change, she balances her school life with leading workshops, raising funds, and empowering young girls through sustainable pad-making initiatives. Outside of her activism, Ria enjoys traveling, learning languages, and exploring new cuisines. She shares with SEEMA about her inspiration and passion for creating change.
What inspired you to start this initiative focused on improving menstrual health and awareness in India?
At the largest Hindu temple in America, I was told to move to the back row of the temple because I was a girl. My Mom explained that women could be menstruating and thus are considered impure. That event was the introduction to menstruation to me when I was 7 years old. As I grew older, I heard numerous stories about menstrual taboos in India and their impact on women. I recall hearing about the challenges of accessing affordable and safe menstrual hygiene products. Some women even resort to cow dung, dried leaves and dirty rags for period products. Determined to find solutions, I founded The Paree Project, an initiative focused on improving menstrual health awareness in rural villages near Delhi. The Paree Project, named after the Hindi word for “fairy,” represents the efforts to give women the wings they need to thrive.
How do you envision the long-term impact of your work on menstrual health in rural communities?
The taboo against menstruation is huge in India. It’s going to take many years to make notable progress. We are taking small steps today to educate people in the villages. Many girls quit school once they start puberty. If we can help create open dialogue within the families, that will help with better health and education for females. This would in turn lead to women self-sufficiency and empowerment in the long term.
What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in promoting menstrual health awareness in villages near Noida?
The biggest challenge is the taboo against talking about menstruation. It’s extremely shocking that women are often ashamed of their own bodies. In India, we host a variety of menstrual literacy workshops. During these workshops, the women are reluctant to listen to one talk about this ‘shameful’ topic. I often encounter nasty comments from villagers, the exchange of looks of disapproval, and an overall rejection of my work. Although I’m still learning about the process and finding who I am as a woman, I must continue to put on a brave face and serve as a role model for thousands of females across India. Another hurdle I have identified is fundraising. The local fundraisers and gofundme initiatives have somewhat helped to fund these micro projects.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-paree-project-a-fight-against-period-poverty
How have the local communities responded to your efforts in raising awareness about menstrual health?
I have collaborated with a local organization in India called Pinkishe Foundation. They are helping us conduct sessions in India. In NJ, I have hosted period product collection drives at the local libraries. I collected over 100 products and donated them to a village we have targeted in India (Rajpur Bangar Village). I am raising funds to help with the efforts for my project. I have additionally conducted fundraisers in which I sell Kantha stoles and dupattas (sourced from Indian designer, Kantha by Farah Khan in Kolkata) at various places in NJ. I am preparing for an exhibition at the Somerset County Diversity festival selling hand embroidered products on Sept 29, 2024. The local community has been extremely supportive so far.
Can you share a success story or a moment that particularly stood out during your visits to these villages?
At one of the educational sessions near the Delhi area, I was addressing about 200 women. The village women were inattentive and making fun of my Hindi. Two hundred stories of shame and isolation sat in front me. I wanted to change that. I explained that menstruation wasn’t a curse, but a strength. After the session, a woman approached me. She looked at me and said “I want my daughter to become a doctor like you”. I let her believe that I was a doctor. If that was the motivation she needed, I wouldn’t correct her. That to me was the beginning of a success story. Someday, her daughter would grow up, educate others, and rewrite the story of women’s health in their village.
Could you elaborate on the sewing project you’re running? How does it tie into your broader mission of menstrual health?
The Paree Project has established a small-scale unit manufacturing sustainable, eco-friendly sanitary pads in Greater Noida, India. The factory consists exclusively of young girls from the villages of India. We have recruited two trainers from a rural village of India. These trainers undertake a six-month skill training program, during which they equip young girls from less privileged backgrounds with tailoring expertise. Throughout this program, young girls are receiving instructions in fundamental sewing techniques, including crafting reusable cloth pads. For each item they produce, the trainees receive a compensation that honors their work. As the young girls sew, they lay the groundwork for their autonomy. Instead of growing up confined to their circumstances, we hope the girls will use their tailoring skills to generate a livelihood for themselves.
What skills or knowledge are you imparting to the women involved in this project, and how do you see it empowering them?
The women are learning to embroider and sew clothing and reusable sanitary pads in this project. I am hoping that as women finally become independent, there will be increased awareness for education too. This could be life-altering for future generations.
Have you noticed any significant changes or improvements since starting your projects? What are your future plans for expanding or evolving your initiatives in menstrual health and women’s empowerment?
My service work tackles a small part of the multifaceted problem of period poverty. This is just the beginning of a lifelong journey toward addressing this issue. I intend to expand my efforts to villages across India, and possibly expand to neighboring countries. With each endeavor, I am hopefully slowly shaping the world for the better.
