Summary

India is unique in the depth and persistence of stigmas around menstruation. Despite economic and technological progress fuelling India's status as a global powerhouse, even some of the most privileged sections of society continue to perpetuate a cycle of shame and secrecy around periods under the guise of traditions. Periods are believed to be impure. Women are banned from entering temples or even their own kitchens. And these biases are passed down generations. Stayfree believes and wanted to communicate that the true mark of a woman's freedom is her ability to make her own choice, even on the days of her period. In research, we discovered a powerful insight - no woman looks forward to her periods. Except for sex workers: because period days are the only days when they are not forced to work. We decided to use one taboo to challenge another, and Project Free Period was born. A social initiative that empowers women in the sex trade by turning their 3 days of periods into 3 days of learning the skills of a new trade. We partnered with leading NGOs and volunteer trainers to deliver a unique curriculum that could generate alternative sources of income for India's commercial sex workers. What started in a humble neighbourhood of Mumbai’s Kamathipura, has now expanded and evolved into a nationwide phenomenon. Project Free Period has fuelled unprecedented conversations around two of India’s biggest taboos – periods and prostitution, with its reach soaring at 2.2 billion and counting. Global and international media networks have accelerated our momentum. With a network of over 11,200 students across the country, Project Free Period has transformed over 100,000 period days into days of learning. But most importantly, it gives India’s commercial sex workers the power to choose. Choose to leave the profession. Choose to turn away customers who don't wear protection. And choose to end their cycle of suffering.