REDEFINING RED: ENACTUS TEAM OF P.U. SPARKS DIALOGUE ON MENSTRUAL HEALTH AND CANCER PREVENTION

Chandigarh, November 7, 2025: Enactus SSB UICET team of Panjab University in collaboration with Developing Indigenous Resources-India (DIR-India), Versatile Group, Ludhiana and Corporate Sustainability Council, Women’s Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CSC WICCI) organised an impactful Menstrual Health and Hygiene Workshop at Nayagaon, aligning with World Cancer Day to raise awareness about the significance of menstrual health, hygiene and its connection to the prevention of reproductive health issues, including cervical cancer, conveyed Prof. Seema Kapoor, Faculty Advisor of Enactus and President of CSC WICCI, Chandigarh.

Dr. Asha Katoch, CEO of DIR-India and the workshop’s resource person emphasized the need for early education, sustainable menstrual practices and regular health check-ups to ensure women’s long-term physical and emotional well-being. She highlighted that menstrual hygiene is not limited to the use of sanitary products but is deeply connected to women’s empowerment and dignity. Dr. Katoch explained that when girls and women are educated about menstrual health from a young age, they are better equipped to make informed choices that benefit both their personal health and the environment. Promoting sustainable menstrual options such as cloth based sanitary napkins not only reduces waste but also fosters a sense of responsibility toward ecological balance. She further stressed that awareness, open dialogue and routine health screenings are essential in the early detection and prevention of diseases such as cervical cancer, thereby contributing to healthier communities and a more informed society.

The event was marked by steady participation and heartfelt engagement, as attendees showed genuine interest in understanding and supporting the cause. Enactus members interacted passionately with the participants, explaining the mission, process and impact of the initiative. This event was a celebration of awareness and empathy. Watching people resonate with our message gave us the motivation to keep building and growing these initiatives, said Harshnoor Kaur, President of Enactus team.

The session concluded with the distribution of 101 cloth-based sanitary napkins to young underprivileged girls and women from nearby slum communities, promoting the adoption of safe, sustainable and skin-friendly menstrual products that empower women in their everyday lives. To ensure that no one was left out, the medical team from DIR-India conducted a door-to-door outreach, identifying and registering women who had not previously received reusable sanitary pads, thereby extending the benefits of the initiative to every woman in the Basti. The napkins were generously sponsored by the Versatile Group, Ludhiana, under its CSR initiative Project Amodini, shared Samaira Talwar, Events Head, Enactus. The event concluded with a warm community interaction over refreshments, reinforcing the spirit of collaboration and compassion.
In addition to the workshop, the Enactus team, comprising Harshnoor, Aryan Kamboj, and Prof. Kapoor, presented a poster titled “Reviving Ritual Waste: A Sustainable Transformation of Temple Flowers into Sambrani Cups” at the 18thChandigarh Science Congress 2025, held at Panjab University. The conference theme, “Empowering Humanity: Science, Technology, and Healthcare,” resonates strongly with the Enactus mission of driving sustainable and socially responsible innovation.