The interconnectedness of climate change and educational disruption has become increasingly evident in recent years. Once seen primarily through the lens of environmental and health impacts, climate change is now recognised as a significant factor influencing education globally, affecting not only infrastructure but also the cognitive development and learning outcomes of millions of students. This relationship is becoming more pronounced, as extreme weather events, natural disasters and environmental stresses worsen existing educational inequalities. The interplay between these two crises highlights the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to mitigate their combined effects.
Global Impact of Climate Change on Education
The UNESCO Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report emphasises that climate change-related stressors, such as heatwaves, wildfires, floods and droughts, pose a serious threat to reversing decades of educational progress. The global report from UNESCO, the Monitoring and Evaluating Climate Communication and Education (MECCE) project and the University of Saskatchewan highlight that most low- and middle-income countries face annual climate-related school closures, raising the risk of learning loss and increased dropout rates. This year, over 40 million students have been unable to attend school due to heatwaves causing closures in parts of Asia and North Africa leading to disruptions in education.
In addition, the report suggests that children experiencing extreme temperatures—above two standard deviations from the norm—are predicted to attain 1.5 fewer years of schooling on average. Rising temperatures have been linked to poorer test scores, as seen in China, where high temperatures reduced high school graduation and college entrance rates or the United States, where an increase of just 1°C reduced academic performance by 1%.
Unfortunately, countries facing the worst climate impacts also tend to have the least capacity to mitigate these effects. A stark example is the 143 million people that the World Bank estimates could be displaced by climate-induced migration by 2050. This has direct educational consequences, with children in affected regions more likely to drop out of school and engage in child labour, further increasing vulnerabilities.
Education as a Predictor of Vulnerability: Children from families with lower levels of education are more susceptible to environmental shocks. Educational attainment is often a proxy for a range of vulnerabilities, such as geographic location and available resources. Educated families and communities are generally more prepared to adapt to and recover from disasters. By contrast, children from less-educated families are often removed from school to help with survival when disaster strikes. This widens the learning gap between children of different socio-economic backgrounds. Low-income communities, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, suffer the most from this cycle of poverty, climate shocks, and educational setbacks.
Climate Change and Education in India
In India, climate change is having a profound impact on education, particularly in rural and marginalised communities. According to the Indian Meteorological Department and NASA reports, heatwaves and extreme weather events are increasing in both frequency and intensity. In some regions, temperatures have soared above 45°C (113°F), making it increasingly difficult to maintain an uninterrupted academic calendar. Overcrowded classrooms, lack of electricity or power outages and water shortages make learning impossible, prompting states like West Bengal, Maharashtra, Odisha, Jharkhand and others to close schools or reschedule timings as emergency measures.
The effects of climate change in India are further exacerbated by climate-induced migration. Droughts, floods and cyclones force families to migrate, leading to overcrowded schools and stretched educational resources in receiving areas. The devastating 2022 floods in Assam displaced thousands of families, closing schools for months. Rebuilding these educational infrastructures took several months, further delaying students’ return to normal schooling. The compounded effects of displacement, poverty and climate stressors create an environment where education is not just disrupted temporarily but may be lost for many children, pushing many children into child labour.
Climate change’s cognitive effects on education are as alarming as its physical toll. Extreme weather, poor air quality and environmental stressors impair students’ cognitive function in the long term. A study in India found that rainfall shocks during early childhood negatively impacted long-term vocabulary and maths skills, especially in children whose parents had lower educational attainment. These findings reinforce the need for disaster-preparedness education and policies aimed at reducing the long-term effects of climate change on learning outcomes.
Need for Climate-Resilient Education Systems
As the effects of climate change intensify, it’s clear that the global education system is not adequately prepared to face the challenges ahead. Evidence highlights that in the past 20 years, schools were closed during 75% of extreme weather events affecting over 5 million people. Despite this, many countries still lack proper climate adaptation strategies for their education sectors. Only about half of education policymakers in low- and middle-income countries recognise that rising temperatures affect learning outcomes.
To safeguard education against climate-related disruptions, countries must take a multi-sectoral approach to climate adaptation, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for climate action (SDG 13) and quality education (SDG 4). This includes integrating climate education into curricula and building resilient school infrastructure to withstand natural disasters and extreme weather conditions. Installing cooling systems in schools in regions prone to heatwaves and improving air quality monitoring can be an effective strategy. Educating children about climate change can help build awareness and increase their capacity to respond to environmental crises.
The Bottom Line
The intertwined challenges of climate change and learning loss demand immediate attention. As climate disruptions intensify, their impact on education is becoming undeniable. The growing body of evidence shows that climate change exacerbates existing educational and socioeconomic inequalities, with low-income communities bearing the brunt of these effects. Governments and policymakers must prioritise building climate-resilient education systems, integrating climate education into curricula, and ensuring equitable access to quality education. By taking these steps, we can safeguard both the future of the world’s children and the global pursuit of educational equity and a sustainable world.
Smile Foundation’s work
Smile Foundation’s education initiatives are deeply focused on ensuring that children continue to access quality education, despite the growing challenges posed by climate change. With extreme weather events becoming more frequent and severe, especially in rural parts of India, we recognise the critical need for climate-resilient education systems. In regions affected by floods, droughts and heatwaves, children often experience prolonged school closures, further widening the learning gap between different socio-economic groups.
Understanding the impact of climate-related disruptions, Smile Foundation works to mitigate the loss of learning by implementing mobile education units, technology-aided learning and school readiness programmes that can continue even during natural disasters. For example, the “Smile on Wheels” initiative adapts to changing environmental conditions, ensuring that children in remote areas still have access to teachers and learning materials when schools are forced to close due to climate stressors.
Beyond addressing immediate educational disruptions, Smile Foundation is committed to long-term resilience by incorporating climate education into their curriculum. Children are taught about environmental stewardship and disaster preparedness, helping them become more aware of the global climate crisis and its effects on their communities. By equipping students with the knowledge to respond to environmental challenges, Smile Foundation ensures both continued education and also empowers the next generation to be proactive in the fight against climate change.
In today’s connected world, it’s hard to avoid viral trends and the fun of sharing reels. While the digital realm offers many opportunities and ways to connect, it also brings risks like cyberbullying and privacy invasion. In such an environment, should we block our children from social media, or should we teach them about cybersecurity and cyberbullying awareness? By educating them to handle online interactions safely and respond to threats, we can help them enjoy the benefits of digital platforms while protecting them from harm.
Cyberbullying & Lasting Negative Impact
Cyberbullying refers to the use of digital technology to harass, intimidate, or harm others. It can occur through various online platforms, such as social media, emails, text messages, or websites. Unlike traditional bullying, cyberbullying can be persistent and widespread due to the nature of digital communication.
Approximately 12% of adolescents, or about 1 in 8, report engaging in cyberbullying, with boys (14%) being more likely than girls (9%) to engage in such behaviour. This marks an increase from 2018 when the rates were 11% for boys and 7% for girls. On the flip side, 15% of adolescents, roughly 1 in 6, have experienced cyberbullying themselves, with rates closely aligned between boys (15%) and girls (16%). This also reflects a rise from 2018, when the rates were 12% for boys and 13% for girls.
Types of Cyberbullying
1. Harassment- Repeatedly sending offensive, rude, and insulting messages through digital channels.
2. Impersonation- Creating fake profiles or hacking into someone’s account to spread false information or damage their reputation.
3. Outing- Revealing personal, sensitive, or embarrassing information about someone without their consent.
4. Exclusion-Intentionally excluding someone from online groups, conversations, or social activities.
5. Doxxing-Publishing private or identifying information about someone without their consent, often with malicious intent.
6. Trolling-Posting inflammatory or provocative comments online to incite reactions or distress.
7. Cyberstalking-Using digital communication to repeatedly and aggressively pursue or harass an individual.
8. Flaming-Posting hostile, aggressive, or offensive messages to provoke or upset others in online forums or social media.
Each type of cyberbullying can have serious emotional and psychological impacts on the victims, highlighting the importance of awareness, prevention, and intervention.
India Needs Cybersecurity Awareness Now
According to a McAfee report, 85% of Indian children have suffered cyberbullying. Shockingly, young Indian children have suffered racial attacks, personal threats, sexual harassment, and doxing at a double rate than the global average. Psychologists are concerned that the growing speed of cyberbullying amongst young Indian teenagers is also giving rise to many depression victims. The way malicious intentions are floating all over social media platforms becomes a grave concern for our children’s online safety as well as mental and physical protection.
But why is India seeing a surge in cyberbullying? And how Cybersecurity Awareness can be a solution?
India is facing a rise in cyberbullying driven by increased internet usage, the expansion of social media platforms, and inadequate digital literacy. As more individuals, particularly adolescents, spend time online, the potential for cyberbullying grows. Misusing advanced technologies, such as deepfake images and videos, presents a new challenge for cybersecurity experts. Moreover, the anonymity and distance afforded by digital platforms can encourage people to behave in ways they might not face-to-face, creating a sense of unease as no one knows who their perpetrators can be.
Thus, in such a scenario, online safety initiatives, especially Cybersecurity Awareness can play a crucial role in addressing this issue. By educating individuals on safe online practices, the importance of privacy settings, and how to recognize and report cyberbullying, awareness programs can help prevent such incidents. Training on digital etiquette and emotional intelligence can also empower users to navigate online interactions more responsibly. Moreover, promoting awareness can encourage the adoption of protective measures, fostering a safer and more respectful online environment.
Smile’s Initiatives for Cybersecurity Awareness
To foster safer and more supportive communities, Smile Foundation implements regular cybersecurity awareness and online safety workshops for students at our Mission Education centres. We believe in leveraging the internet as a valuable resource for quality education and skill development. However, we also recognize the potential dangers of digital platforms and are committed to teaching our students safe online practices to protect them from cyber threats.
Recently, we partnered with Global Sign-GMO to conduct a cyberbullying prevention session. This engaging employee engagement activity featured interactive sessions where employees educated our students on “How to Make Social Media Safer and Kinder.” They highlighted crucial practices to avoid cyberbullying and emphasised the importance of promptly addressing any malicious activities encountered online.
These interventions not only empower our beneficiaries with essential online safety knowledge but also equip them to navigate the digital world with confidence and security, while sharing their knowledge amongst their family and friends,that helps in creating a culture of safe online environment for the community.
If you think that your team can help young lives with the knowledge that can help them live a safer and better life, then you can also partner with us for employee engagement activities to help us build safer communities with a better tomorrow for all of us.
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam is not an unknown name in the world. India’s 11th President, a scientist, teacher and most importantly a visionary who always encouraged students to learn from the heart and not mind. Dr. Kalam was always of the opinion that every child has the special ability to learn and thrive, the only difference is that every child may excel in different fields and therefore, they should not be caged into societal expectations.
Getting inspired to do something with flights after spending a day with his teacher on the beach, Kalam sir’s journey has been nothing short of an inspirational journey for everyone. Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was born on October 15, 1931, in Rameswaram, India, and was a self-taught student with a passion for learning.
Raised in a modest family, he overcame financial challenges by studying aerospace engineering at the Madras Institute of Technology. Kalam joined India’s space and defence programs, contributing to developing missiles and satellite technology. He played a key role in India’s 1998 nuclear tests. In 2002, he became the 11th President of India, known as the “People’s President.”
After serving his term, he returned to teaching and writing. Kalam passed away on July 27, 2015, leaving a legacy of inspiration and innovation.
APJ Abdul Kalam- A Legacy to Learn from
Ever wondered how after so many years of his passing away, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam’s name is enough to make someone believe in themselves, even in their lowest of times? It’s not that all of us met him or knew him personally, but even then we all feel a deep connection with him- why is that?
Dr. Kalam’s teachings, which resonate across generations, remain a source of inspiration. On Teacher’s Day 2024, let us reflect on his invaluable wisdom: dreams are meant to be realised, but they demand hard work and perseverance. These are the essential elements that turn aspirations into reality, guiding both students and lifelong learners alike.
Inspirational Quotes by Dr. Kalam
“Look at the sky. We are not alone. The whole universe is friendly to us and conspires only to give the best to those who dream and work”
Dr. Kalam, a distinguished aerospace engineer and rocket scientist, grasped the complex workings of the universe and galaxies. Yet, he also embraced the idea that life isn’t governed solely by scientific facts; we must also believe in the magic of the universe. He encouraged us to dream big and trust that the universe supports our aspirations. However, he emphasised that the universe expects us to back our dreams with intention and hard work. By dedicating ourselves fully, we align with the universe’s support and turn our dreams into reality.
“I will have great aim; I will continuously acquire knowledge; I will do hard work; and I will persevere and succeed”
Dr. A.P.J. Kalam’s four pillars of life serve as a guiding principle, urging students to dream big and tirelessly work towards their goals. He highlighted the importance of continually acquiring knowledge and persevering through challenges. Kalam believed that achieving greatness requires a constant commitment to learning and self-improvement. Recognising the difficulties of this journey, he emphasised the crucial role of perseverance. Through his own life and teachings, he demonstrated that persistent effort can lead to significant and lasting positive change.
“Don’t take rest after your first victory because if you fail in second, more lips are waiting to say that your first victory was just luck”
If one truly understands Dr. Kalam’s quotes, one would realise that he is one of the biggest cheerleaders when it comes to dreaming big and working hard. This quote from Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam embodies his philosophy of perseverance and humility. He believed that while dreaming big and working hard are essential, one must never become complacent with success. According to Kalam, achieving a goal is just the beginning; the true test lies in consistently improving and setting new benchmarks. He encouraged students to view each victory not as a final destination but as a stepping stone toward even greater accomplishments. As expectations grow, so does the responsibility to continue striving and evolving. Kalam’s message was clear: sustained effort and a commitment to continuous growth are crucial for turning success into a lasting legacy.
Remembering Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam- Smile’s Way
Inspired by the teachings of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Smile Foundation is committed to applying his vision in our efforts to empower underserved communities across India. Our mission is to provide quality education, health, and livelihood opportunities to children and their families.
Through our flagship program, Mission Education, we align with the National Education Policy to build strong foundational skills in language, numeracy, and STEAM subjects, setting a solid base for the future. Our Smile On Wheels units offer essential medical services, including OPD care, point-of-care tests, and free medications, while the Swabhiman program focuses on women’s health education. Additionally, STeP and Swabhiman provide vocational training to boost employability and entrepreneurship.
Our goal is to spread smiles by enhancing education, health, and livelihood opportunities, breaking the cycle of economic stagnation and helping underserved communities realise their dreams. In honouring the legacy of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Smile Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of underserved children and their families. We believe that by embracing Dr. Kalam’s principles of dreaming big and persevering, we as a society can help these innocent and talented children with the opportunities and resources they need for building a dignified and safe life for themselves and their families.
Join us to give an underserved child the chance to start dreaming and persevere to make those dreams come true.
Menstrual Hygiene Day, observed globally on 28 May, draws attention to the 500 million women and girls worldwide who lack adequate access to menstrual hygiene products and safe sanitation facilities
In India, approximately 71% of girls report having no knowledge of menstruation before their first period, and nearly 23 million girls drop out of school annually due in part to inadequate menstrual hygiene facilities
Cultural stigma, economic barriers and insufficient infrastructure — particularly in rural and low-income communities continue to limit women’s and girls’ participation in education, employment and public life
India’s National Menstrual Hygiene Policy represents a significant policy step, but implementation gaps, especially in rural areas and informal workplaces, remain a critical challenge
Grassroots programmes including Smile Foundation’s Swabhiman initiative are demonstrating that community-level awareness, peer education and one-on-one counselling can produce lasting behavioural change where national campaigns have not yet reached
Menstrual hygiene is directly connected to girls’ education, women’s employment, adolescent mental health and India’s broader gender equity agenda
A Day That Should Not Need to Exist
Every year on 28 May, the global public health community observes Menstrual Hygiene Day — an occasion created in 2014 by the German NGO WASH United to draw attention to the fact that, for hundreds of millions of women and girls, managing menstruation safely and with dignity remains an unresolved challenge.
The date is not arbitrary. May has 28 days, and 28 is the average length of the menstrual cycle — a small but deliberate act of destigmatisation embedded in the calendar itself.
In an ideal world, Menstrual Hygiene Day would not need to exist. Menstruation is a biological function, experienced by roughly half the world’s population for a significant portion of their lives. The infrastructure, products and social norms needed to support it safely and without shame are neither technologically complex nor prohibitively expensive. And yet, globally, an estimated 500 million women and girls lack adequate access to menstrual hygiene products and sanitation facilities. In India, the numbers and the stories behind them make Menstrual Hygiene Day not just relevant but urgent.
The Scale of the Problem: What the Data Says
Period hygiene in India sits at the intersection of several compounding disadvantages — poverty, rural geography, gender inequality and cultural stigma — that make it simultaneously a health issue, an education issue, an economic issue and a human rights issue.
According to the National Family Health Survey, only about 64% of women aged 15–24 in India use hygienic methods of protection during menstruation. The figure masks significant variation: in urban areas, access to and use of sanitary products is considerably higher than in rural communities, where disposable pads may be unavailable, unaffordable or culturally unfamiliar. Cloth, ash, sand and husks are still used in some communities — materials that carry serious risks of infection when not managed carefully.
The knowledge gap compounds the access gap. Research consistently shows that approximately 71% of girls in India have no knowledge of menstruation before their first period. Their first experience is thus not simply biological — it is frequently frightening, confusing and accompanied by restrictions imposed by family and community norms that they have not been prepared to understand or question.
UNICEF estimates that in South Asia, one in ten girls misses school during menstruation. For India specifically, the figure translates into an estimated 23 million girls who drop out of school annually — a number influenced by, though not reducible to, menstrual hygiene factors. When a school does not have a private, clean toilet for girls, when there is no mechanism for disposing of sanitary products, when a girl has no products at all — attendance becomes a choice between dignity and education. Too often, dignity loses.
The Education Dimension: When Periods End Schooling
Girls who miss school during menstruation fall behind in their studies. Over time, accumulated absences widen the gap between them and their peers, reducing academic confidence and increasing the likelihood of dropout. In contexts where girls are already navigating pressure to prioritise domestic responsibilities or early marriage over schooling, the added disruption of unmanaged menstruation can be the tipping point.
The infrastructure dimension is direct and addressable. A 2019 UNICEF report found that less than half of schools in low- and middle-income countries had adequate single-sex sanitation facilities. In India, while the situation has improved since the Swachh Bharat Mission brought new attention to school sanitation, quality and maintenance remain inconsistent — particularly in rural government schools. A toilet that exists but is broken, dirty or lacks a door does not serve the same function as one that is clean, private and usable.
But infrastructure alone is insufficient. The stigma that surrounds menstruation in many communities means that girls manage their periods not just with inadequate facilities but with shame — afraid to ask for help, afraid to be seen, afraid to acknowledge a biological reality that their bodies impose on them regardless of social permission. This stigma is absorbed in childhood and carried into adulthood, shaping women’s relationship with their own health for decades.
National Menstrual Hygiene Policy
The National Menstrual Hygiene Policy was a ground-breaking initiative in this context. Aimed at addressing the menstrual health needs of women and girls across the country, the policy is expected to promote menstrual hygiene management and break the silence surrounding menstruation.
Furthermore, the policy prioritises the establishment of menstrual hygiene facilities in schools, workplaces and public spaces to ensure that women and girls have access to clean and private facilities for managing their periods with dignity and comfort.
By implementing the National Menstrual Hygiene Policy, India is not only prioritising the health and well-being of its female population but also taking a significant stride towards achieving gender equality and social inclusion.
But…
Employment and Economic Participation: The Workplace Dimension
The consequences of inadequate menstrual hygiene management do not end when a girl leaves school. They follow her into the workplace, and in the informal sector, where the majority of India’s working women are employed, they are particularly acute.
Women working in fields, factories, domestic employment, and construction sites often have no access to private toilets, no mechanism for managing or disposing of sanitary products during working hours, and no cultural space to acknowledge that menstruation affects their ability to work under current conditions. The result is absenteeism, reduced productivity and the kind of quiet health management that involves ignoring physical discomfort for extended periods with long-term health consequences.
The World Bank has estimated that poor menstrual hygiene management costs India approximately 0.4% of GDP annually in lost productivity — a figure that, while difficult to verify precisely, points toward the scale of the economic argument for investing in menstrual health. When women can manage menstruation safely and without disruption, they work more consistently, perform more effectively and are better positioned to advance.
Workplace menstrual leave policies which have been introduced by some Indian companies and have been the subject of significant public debate represent one approach to acknowledging the reality of menstruation in employment contexts. The debate around these policies is itself instructive: it reveals how contested the basic acknowledgement of menstruation as a workplace-relevant reality remains, even in relatively progressive organisational settings.
Cultural Stigma and Social Norms: The Invisible Barrier
No discussion of period hygiene in India is complete without honest engagement with the cultural dimension. Across communities, cutting across religion, region and socioeconomic status, menstruation is surrounded by restrictions, taboos and practices that communicate, to girls and women, that their bodies are sources of impurity during their periods.
These restrictions vary in form: prohibition from entering temples or kitchens, exclusion from family rituals, requirements to sleep separately, prohibitions on touching certain foods. What they share is the underlying message that a menstruating woman is, in some fundamental way, a problem to be managed rather than a person to be supported.
The health consequences of these norms are real. When girls are not permitted to wash during menstruation, or when the cloth they use cannot be dried in sunlight for fear of social stigma, the risk of infection increases. When menstruation is not discussed openly, girls cannot seek help when they experience symptoms that require medical attention. When the subject is taboo, the knowledge needed to manage it safely cannot be transmitted.
Breaking this stigma is not a simple communication challenge. It is a social change process that requires sustained engagement with communities, families, religious leaders and institutions, and it requires that the people doing this engagement are trusted by the communities they are working with.
India’s Policy Response: Progress and Persistent Gaps
India has taken meaningful policy steps on menstrual health. The National Menstrual Hygiene Policy developed with input from multiple ministries and civil society organisations provides a framework for promoting menstrual hygiene management across education, health and sanitation systems. The Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana and various state-level schemes have included provisions for sanitary product access. Some states provide free sanitary napkins to girls in government schools.
These are genuine advances. But implementation gaps which are the consistent challenge of Indian social policy limit their impact significantly. Free sanitary products that do not reach schools, toilet infrastructure that is not maintained, health education that is delivered once and not reinforced, these are the points at which policy intent and lived reality diverge.
The economic barrier to menstrual products also deserves direct attention. While the GST on sanitary napkins was removed in 2018, affordable products remain inaccessible for many low-income women, particularly in rural areas where distribution networks are limited. Biodegradable and reusable alternatives which have environmental advantages alongside their cost advantages are growing in availability, but awareness and acceptance vary considerably.
Grassroots Change: What Smile Foundation’s Swabhiman Initiative Shows
The most sustainable change in menstrual health awareness and practice in India is happening at the community level, and it is being driven by the kinds of trusted, sustained engagement that national programmes cannot replicate.
Smile Foundation’s Swabhiman initiative is built on the understanding that menstrual health awareness requires relationships. Through community engagement, group sessions and one-on-one counselling with adolescent girls and women, the programme creates spaces where menstruation can be discussed openly, questions can be asked without embarrassment, and knowledge can be applied to real lives.
The results of this approach are visible not just in changed behaviour but in changed relationships. Girls who participate in Swabhiman sessions begin talking about menstruation at home and at school — conversations that were previously impossible. Peers influence peers. Communities that were resistant gradually open. The change is slow, but it is deep.
Shivani’s story illustrates what this looks like in practice. When she first attended a Swabhiman group meeting, she was too shy to speak. She had never heard menstruation discussed openly before. The first session changed her understanding of her own body, and when she began applying what she had learned, she found daily life easier to navigate. She started answering questions from friends at school. She became a peer educator, leading awareness sessions in her community. She does not think of herself as a change-maker. She just thinks that important knowledge should be shared.
This peer multiplication effect where one informed girl becomes the entry point for many others is one of the most powerful mechanisms available in menstrual health education, and it is one that Smile Foundation’s model is explicitly designed to activate.
The Environmental Dimension: A Growing Concern
Any comprehensive discussion of menstrual hygiene on Menstrual Hygiene Day must also acknowledge the environmental dimension of menstrual product use.
India generates an estimated 113,000 tonnes of menstrual waste annually, the vast majority of which consists of disposable synthetic sanitary products that take hundreds of years to decompose. Improper disposal — in open drains, water bodies and open land — poses environmental and public health risks. The scaling up of disposable product access, while addressing one dimension of menstrual equity, creates another challenge that requires attention.
The growing availability of reusable options — menstrual cups, cloth pads, and biodegradable products — offers a partial response to this challenge. But uptake requires awareness, cultural acceptance and access to washing facilities that are not universally available. Integrating environmental sustainability into menstrual health programming is an area that deserves more deliberate attention from both policymakers and civil society.
Dignity Is Not Optional
Menstrual Hygiene Day is a reminder that the distance between where India is and where it needs to be on menstrual health is still significant — but that it is being closed, community by community, conversation by conversation, peer educator by peer educator.
The investment required to close it is modest relative to its returns. A girl who can manage her period safely and without shame attends school more regularly, learns more effectively, enters the workforce with greater confidence and navigates her health with more agency. These outcomes compound across a lifetime, and across generations.
Period dignity is not a niche concern. It is a foundational dimension of gender equity and Menstrual Hygiene Day exists to ensure that it is treated as such.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs): Menstrual Hygiene Day
What is Menstrual Hygiene Day and when is it observed?
Menstrual Hygiene Day is a global awareness day observed every year on 28 May. It was initiated in 2014 by the German NGO WASH United to highlight the importance of good menstrual hygiene management for the health, dignity and well-being of women and girls worldwide. The date is deliberate — May is the fifth month of the year, and 28 represents the average length of the menstrual cycle. The day brings together governments, NGOs, healthcare organisations and communities to advocate for improved access to menstrual products, sanitation and education.
Why is menstrual hygiene important for girls’ education in India?
Inadequate menstrual hygiene directly affects girls’ school attendance and academic performance. When schools lack clean, private toilet facilities and girls have no access to sanitary products, menstruation becomes a reason to stay home, and repeated absences accumulate into significant educational setbacks. An estimated 23 million girls in India drop out of school annually, with menstrual hygiene being one contributing factor. When proper facilities and products are available and when menstrual health education reduces stigma, girls attend school more consistently and participate more actively in their education.
What are the main barriers to menstrual hygiene access in India?
The barriers are multiple and interconnected. Economic barriers prevent many low-income women and girls from affording commercial sanitary products. Geographic barriers limit product availability in rural and remote areas. Infrastructure barriers, particularly the absence of clean, private toilets in schools and workplaces, make safe management difficult even when products are available. Cultural barriers, including stigma and taboos around menstruation, prevent open discussion, limit knowledge transmission and discourage girls and women from seeking help. Addressing menstrual hygiene in India requires engaging all of these dimensions simultaneously.
What is India’s National Menstrual Hygiene Policy?
India’s National Menstrual Hygiene Policy provides a framework for improving menstrual hygiene management across education, health and sanitation systems. It prioritises the establishment of menstrual hygiene facilities in schools, workplaces and public spaces, and promotes comprehensive menstrual health education. Several state governments have implemented programmes providing free sanitary napkins to girls in government schools. While the policy represents a significant step forward, implementation gaps in infrastructure maintenance, product distribution and sustained education remain a challenge, particularly in rural communities.
How does menstrual stigma affect women’s health and well-being?
Menstrual stigma — the cultural norms and taboos that treat menstruation as impure or shameful — has direct health consequences. When menstruation cannot be discussed openly, girls and women cannot seek medical attention for symptoms that require it. Restrictions on washing, or on drying cloth in sunlight, increase infection risk. The psychological burden of managing a normal biological process with shame and secrecy affects mental health and self-esteem, particularly among adolescents. Breaking menstrual stigma is not only a social good, it is a health intervention.
What role does Smile Foundation play in menstrual health awareness?
Smile Foundation’s Swabhiman initiative works directly with adolescent girls and women in underserved communities to build menstrual health awareness and promote safe menstrual hygiene practices. Through community group sessions and one-on-one counselling, the programme creates spaces where menstruation can be discussed openly and knowledge can be applied practically. The programme’s peer education model — where informed girls become advocates in their own communities — produces a multiplication effect that extends reach beyond direct programme participants and creates lasting community-level change.
What are the environmental concerns associated with menstrual products?
India generates an estimated 113,000 tonnes of menstrual waste annually, primarily from disposable synthetic sanitary products. These products take hundreds of years to decompose and, when improperly disposed of — in drains, water bodies or open land — create environmental and public health risks. Reusable alternatives, including menstrual cups, cloth pads and biodegradable products, offer more sustainable options but require awareness, cultural acceptance and access to washing facilities. Integrating environmental sustainability into menstrual health programming is an increasingly important dimension of menstrual equity advocacy.
How can organisations and individuals support Menstrual Hygiene Day?
Individuals can support Menstrual Hygiene Day by talking openly about menstruation in families, schools and workplaces to reduce stigma and normalise the conversation. Donating menstrual products to organisations working with underserved communities, supporting advocacy for policy improvements and amplifying the work of organisations like Smile Foundation are all meaningful contributions. For organisations, investing in workplace menstrual hygiene facilities, implementing supportive HR policies and partnering with NGOs that deliver menstrual health programming in underserved communities translates institutional support into on-ground impact.
Women-Owned Businesses Generating Millions of Jobs
Priya, a young entrepreneur in the bustling city of Mumbai, has started her own organic skincare brand. At first, she began making these products with the help of her mother and grandmother from her kitchen. She used Instagram and other social media platforms to promote her products. Initially, she got orders from friends and family. Gradually, as people recommended her products to others, the business started growing rapidly.
Eventually, Priya had to rent a small place and hire five women to fulfil the demand. From there, she did not look back and continued moving forward. What began as a small home-based business has now grown into a thriving enterprise, employing over 50 women from her community. Priya’s story is a testament to the transformative power of women-owned businesses in generating employment and fostering economic growth.
One of the most important points to focus here is that Priya chose to employ local women in her business. This is because she not only wanted to generate profits for herself, but also benefit all the women she could. As a woman, she knew the struggles that women had to face when they were not financially independent. She knew that women had the same talents as men, but lack of opportunities meant that they were not able to find economic footing for themselves.
At the same time, she also understood the unique challenges that women in her community faced and what barred them from being a part of the mainstream workforce. They had to juggle between family responsibilities and taking care of the kids. This meant that they could not work during typical hours. In her business, she provided the flexibility to her employees to create their own schedule and stick to it. She also understood issues specific to women like menstruation, pregnancy, etc., and was accommodating when such situations arose.
This shows how women-owned businesses can create a better work environment for the female employees. Women-owned businesses are a vital component of economic development, particularly in a diverse and populous country like India. These enterprises not only contribute to GDP but also play a crucial role in job creation.
Current Landscape in India
According to the Sixth Economic Census, women constitute about 14% of the total entrepreneurs in India, which translates to 8.05 million out of the 58.5 million entrepreneurs. These businesses range from agriculture to manufacturing and from retail to services. Considering the challenges that exist in our society today, women entrepreneurs have shown remarkable resilience and have managed to create a mark in the field of business.
Potential of Job Creation
More businesses mean more employment. A report by Bain & Company and Google highlights that accelerating women entrepreneurship in India can generate 150-170 million jobs by 2030. This potential is significant, considering that it accounts for more than 25% of the new jobs required for the entire working-age population by 2030.
For a growing economy like India, which is currently enjoying a demographic dividend, this is good news. Women constitute a big section of our population and by encouraging more and more women to start their own businesses, we can ensure addition of millions of new jobs. It should also be noted that women-owned businesses also tend to employee more women employees and thus they create a far-reaching impact on transformation of families and communities.
Impact on Economy
When innovation and entrepreneurship flourishes, it generates more employment, increases income-levels and creates an overall positive impact on the economy. Globally, women-owned businesses generate $2.7 trillion in revenue and employ 12.2 million people. Particularly, in the case of India, these businesses are crucial because they often operate from smaller areas and create a significant impact in the local communities. This can help in boosting rural economy as well. We can see this through the example of businesses which employ women in villages to manufacture organic products that are exported throughout the country and the globe.
Barriers to Growth
While women entrepreneurs have been growing by leaps and bounds, they still face a lot of barriers, especially because of the societal biases. According to a report by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), women in India face a financing gap of $158 billion. Addressing these barriers is essential for unlocking the full potential of women-owned businesses. If existing women entrepreneurs came forward to fund businesses started by other women, it could create a ripple effect.
Government Initiatives
The role of government in enabling women entrepreneurship in the country cannot be ignored. Through its policies targeted towards encouraging women to start their own businesses, government can create the groundwork for important changes. There are some initiatives that the government has already launched. Schemes like the Stand-Up India initiative, which provides loans to women and SC/ST entrepreneurs, and the Mahila E-Haat, an online marketing platform for women, are steps in the right direction. Additionally, the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) offers various schemes to support women-owned businesses.
Role of NGOs
While government performs its duties to boost women-led businesses, NGOs also play a crucial role in this area. By creating and supporting women self-help groups, training women, and providing initial funding and support to start the businesses, NGOs help women, especially in the rural areas to become economically independent.
Global Examples
India can learn from how women-led businesses have contributed to the growth of economies in other countries. In the United States, women-owned businesses represent 39.1% of all businesses, employing 12.2 million people and generating $2.7 trillion in revenue. In Rwanda, the Women for Women International program has helped over 77,000 women start their own businesses, contributing to economic growth and stability
Women entrepreneurship is not new in India. One of the biggest examples of this is Lijjat Papad. It is a cooperative started by seven women in Mumbai in 1959, which has grown into a multi-million-dollar enterprise employing over 45,000 women across India. The cooperative model has empowered women by providing them with a steady income and a sense of ownership.
Today, there are businesses started by women like Zivame and Sugar Cosmetics that are changing the landscape of entrepreneurship in the country. To harness the full potential of women-owned businesses like in Smile Fondation’s women empowerment Swabhiman, it is essential to address the barriers they face. This means improving access to finance for these initiatives, creating a policy environment that supports them, and availability of mentorship and training programmes.
Collaboration between the government, private sector and NGOs is crucial for creating an ecosystem that nurtures women entrepreneurs. By supporting and empowering women entrepreneurs, India can unlock a significant source of employment and drive inclusive development.
Sustainable Development Goals are no longer an unknown term, and the world is aiming to achieve these 17 Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 for the welfare of every individual regardless of their socio-economic status. Adopted by the United Nations in 2015, the SDGs have become a well-recognised framework for global development. These goals, encompassing 17 objectives and 169 targets, are designed to ensure everyone can live with dignity.
They address a broad range of issues including poverty alleviation, quality education, gender equality, clean water and climate action, while also focusing on health, economic growth, sustainable cities, responsible consumption and justice.
Therefore, as we approach 2030, it is important to evaluate our progress toward achieving the SDGs and identify strategies to accelerate our efforts. The aim must be to fully realise these goals across India, ensuring that every individual benefits from each SDGs.
Separate or Combined Goals?
Each Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) is crafted to support and enhance the others, emphasising the strength of their interconnectedness. The first goal, “No Poverty,” sets the foundation for the remaining 16 goals, aiming to eradicate hunger, ensure access to quality education, healthcare, clean water and sanitation, and promote a healthier environment both on land and in water.
Additionally, the SDGs focus on providing underserved communities with equal financial opportunities and encourage nations to foster decent work and economic growth through industry development and technological innovation. The ultimate aim is to eliminate inequalities across all areas of life, ensuring that no one is left behind. This approach drives us toward an egalitarian world with sustainable communities that practise responsible resource management and support each other’s holistic development.
Collective Efforts for Sustainable Development Goals by 2030
Recently, during Charcha, India’s Largest Collaborative Convening held by The Nudge Institute, Mr Arun Maira, a former member of the Planning Commission of India, highlighted that to develop holistically, India needs to revisit its village development model by adopting the Sustainable Development Goals collectively and not just by focussing on particular themes, if we truly wish to achieve “Viksit Gaon, Viksit Bharat” in its truest essence.
To ensure that no one is left behind, Viksit Gaon and Viksit Bharat must support underserved communities in India through simultaneous and collective efforts in accessing and embracing quality education, healthcare, livelihood training, women’s empowerment and community building..
But how? These parameters can be a guiding light for all those involved in the realm of sustainable development-
United Strategic Partnerships
Over the years, strategic partnerships between government initiatives and social stakeholders, including corporates and social development organisations, have consistently driven greater positive transformations than single entities acting alone. SDG 17 emphasises the crucial role of these collaborations, highlighting that achieving the SDGs and their interconnectedness requires collective efforts towards shared objectives.
Financing (SDGs) Sustainable Development Goals
To keep the momentum of implementing the sustainable development goals, it is imperative that the state continues investing in mechanisms that help in equipping underserved communities with the benefits of the SDGs. By implementing new techniques and technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, the state and social stakeholders can collectively adopt newer ways of speeding up and achieving the sustainable development goals for all.
Transparency with Technology
Advancing and spreading new technologies, alongside gathering high-quality, timely and reliable data, are crucial for implementing the SDGs. Enhancing access to technology and boosting capabilities for technological development are essential. It is also vital to utilise the most effective information technology tools and resources across sectors such as clean energy, health and information.
Smile & 17 Sustainable Development Goals by 2030
Before the globe committed towards Sustainable Development Goals, the approach was focussing only on Millenium Development Goals, with a focus only on developing countries. However, this approach had to be changed as collective development became more of the need of the hour rather than selective empowerment.
In this context, Smile Foundation is dedicated to supporting underserved communities in India through our LifeCycle Approach. This strategy ensures that disadvantaged children and their communities benefit from quality education, accessible and free healthcare, livelihood training for improved employment prospects and comprehensive women’s empowerment, including reproductive healthcare and financial independence. Additionally, we strengthen grassroots organisations to foster community development and break the cycle of generational economic stagnation.
Our LifeCycle approach has enabled us to empower underserved children and families across India, impacting over 1.5 million individuals in 2,000 villages across 25 states annually.
Our flagship programs, including Mission Education, align with the National Education Policy to enhance foundational language, numerical skills (FLN) and STEAM education, providing a strong base for children’s future success. In healthcare, Smile On Wheels (SOWs) offers comprehensive mobile medical services, including OPD facilities, diagnostic tests and free medications, while theSwabhimanprogramme focuses on maternal, menstrual and neonatal health.
Furthermore, initiatives likeSTeP and Swabhimanempower youth and women through vocational training, boosting employability and entrepreneurship. This holistic support approach drives economic independence and societal upliftment.
Dedicated to supporting government initiatives for underserved communities in India, Smile Foundation actively incorporates the 17 Sustainable Development Goals into our programmes through our comprehensive LifeCycle approach. We work strategically to address every SDG theme in collaboration with government and corporate partners. We focus on creating significant impacts, building resilience and advancing sustainable development and community strengthening nationwide, working towards the idea that no one is left behind.
We all know the magic of retail therapy; it has been scientifically proven that retail therapy often improves mood, as a study suggests that 62% of people feel an improved mood after shopping for something. But, the retail industry has much more power than this.
Globally, the retail industry is worth approx. $31310.6 billion in 2024 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.5%. India’s retail industry is considered to be the 4th largest retail sector in the world and is estimated to become a $2 Tn by 2032 with a growth at 25% CAGR. Looking at the magnitude of the retail industry, it is important to note that as much as this sector helps its consumers to live a comfortable life, this industry is also considered as a reservoir of Corporate Social Responsibility, because of its close relationship with the society.
Therefore, in this light, let’s explore how the retail industry CSR and women empowerment can blend in for giving underserved women of India an opportunity to become financially independent and live a life with dignity.
Opportunities for Female Entrepreneurs in India
There is no denying that India’s business landscape has seen a surge of Indian businesswomen who are walking shoulder to shoulder when it comes to leading magnanimous business empires just like their male counterparts. India has between13.5 to 15.7 million women-owned businesses, creating direct employment for 22 to 27 million people. With targeted initiatives, this could grow to 31.5 million businesses by 2030, boosting direct employment by 50 to 60 million.
However, the availability of opportunities for rural women businesses in India are still limited, as constraints like lack of education, lack of resources and business support from banks, no access to digital literacy and financial literacy still fog the path for these women to enter the mainstream female entrepreneurship in India.
SDG 5: Retail Industry CSR and Women’s Empowerment
The current scenario of the retail industry seems to be promising as many international and domestic brands are focusing on expanding their operations in India. Brand like Swedish furniture giant IKEA plans to invest INR 850 crore (US$ 102.41 million) in expanding its Indian operations, while H&M will introduce its home décor line through its website and Myntra next month. UAE-based Lulu Group is investing INR 2,000 crore (US$ 240.96 million) in a new mall near Ahmedabad.
Additionally, Reliance Industries is poised to sell an 8-10% stake in Reliance Retail Ventures Ltd to fund further expansion and prepare for an IPO.
As the industry evolves, strategically aligning retail CSR and women empowerment initiatives to foster an inclusive framework will enable rural women in India to access opportunities for learning, earning, and thriving.
But how?
By investing in vocational training
Vocational training for the underserved communities is no more just an option, but a requirement that must be collectively supported by government, corporates and social organisations. Investing in vocational training for women and young girls, such as skills in tailoring and garment manufacturing, can provide a significant boost to their prospects.
Such training not only equips them with the expertise needed to start their own businesses or secure employment but also fosters sustainable futures for themselves and their communities. By offering these opportunities, retail CSR initiatives can help create pathways to economic independence and community development.
By supporting small retail businesses
When it comes to skills and talent, rural India has been considered as a reservoir and all they await is an opportunity, a platform where they can showcase their skills and earn a sustainable livelihood.
Retail CSR programs can play a transformative role by providing these businesses with essential support and oversight. This includes training in business management, strategic logistics and implementation practices. Such support enables these businesses to expand, create additional job opportunities for women, and contribute to the local economy.
By investing in these areas, retailers can help build a robust ecosystem where women are not only integrated into the workforce but are also celebrated for their entrepreneurial contributions, thereby contributing to economic growth and gender equality in their communities.
By promoting workshops of digital and financial literacy
By organising targeted training programmes and workshops, retailers can teach women essential skills such as managing finances online, making secure transactions and using digital tools effectively. Providing access to technology, including computers and smartphones, is another crucial step, as it helps bridge the digital divide and ensures women in underserved areas can engage with the digital economy.
Additionally, partnerships with financial institutions can offer workshops on budgeting, saving and understanding credit, facilitating access to tailored financial products and services.
Support for women entrepreneurs is equally vital and with CSR programmes partnered with social development organisations like Smile Foundation, the retail industry can offer specific training on e-commerce, digital marketing and financial management.
Furthermore, the Retail CSR activities can also provide mentorship programnes that connect women with experienced professionals and provide valuable advice and networking opportunities, while awareness campaigns can highlight the importance of these skills.
Smile Foundation: Retail Industry CSR and Women Empowerment
Smile Foundation’s programme Swabhiman is well tailored to support retail CSR initiatives to integrate women into the retail ecosystem through proper skill training and business job opportunities that further enhances their practical experience, boosting their confidence and financial independence.
Over the past two decades, we have been committed to grassroots development across India through our Lifecycle Approach. This comprehensive strategy ensures that women and their communities benefit from quality education, vocational training, and access to healthcare, enabling them to overcome generational economic deprivation and achieve sustainable progress.
Partnering with Smile Foundation offers CSR initiatives the opportunity to not only support women’s empowerment but also to challenge and transform entrenched beliefs about women’s capabilities. We are dedicated to holistic national development, recognising that isolated efforts can only achieve so much.
Sensitising parents and communities for better education outputs
Parents are the first teachers of our lives. Before one steps into the formal education setup of schools, it’s them, our primary caregivers from whom we constantly learn. Being our safe haven, what one learns observing their parents from the nascent stage, stays with life. Similarly, beyond parental protection, another primary source of learning is one’s community – where a person grows, socialises, and identifies with.
Without the relationship between parents and the community, no education can be truly effective. It is important to proactively seek out and consistently reaffirm the collaboration and support of parents and communities. Therefore, sensitising these two important parties results in more community and family participation, improved educational practices, and stronger accountability systems. Effective collaborations between schools and communities are built on providing parents with the tools they need to take care of their children’s education.\
Sensitising parents towards their involvement in education
In Indian culture, parents play a central role in the upbringing of their children, regardless of their socioeconomic status. A child’s ability to openly communicate his emotions and sentiments is frequently hindered by parents who handle their children in an overly authoritarian manner. This can have an impact on the child’s openness to learning and knowledge. Anxiety, fear, and uncertainty cloud the mental state, which reduces enthusiasm and excitement for fully engaging in learning activities at the outset.
Hence, comes the need to help parents remain aware at every stage of their child’s development and sensitise them to understanding the changing cultural needs, evolving technology and their impact on children, using positive and constructive language, developing an inclusive environment at home, be an active, empathetic listener, and staying up to date with school activities.
Numerous studies conducted throughout the years have confirmed the critical impact that parental engagement plays in enhancing children’s educational support. A substantial amount of research (Desforges and Abouchaar, 2003: 4) demonstrates that “at-home good parenting” is a powerful predictor of children’s success, even when other factors that affect accomplishment—such as the efficacy of primary schools—are eliminated.
Ways to sensitise parents
Schools can effectively support sensitising parents, increase engagement, and raise their level of awareness in several ways. These educational institutions must establish open channels of communication to include parents in the decision-making process regarding extracurricular activities, school rules, and curriculum development. Involving parents in decision-making fosters a more inclusive and culturally sensitive educational system in addition to fostering a sense of ownership and shared responsibility.
Sensitisation can be brought in by frequent parent counselling aimed at helping them become sensitive to the possible adverse effect of their behaviour on their children. By helping parents gain a better understanding of themselves and their personalities can harmonise parent-children equations in terms of shared learning.
Further, through parent-teacher workshops, there is a space for mutual learning on educational strategies, child development, and curriculum, along with topics like positive parenting and understanding learning difficulties. Such spaces also open up to a diverse audience of children from different socio-economic backgrounds and development disorders. Parents may contribute to opening up their viewpoints, which in turn affects what they teach their children, by observing all the youngsters interact with one another and following the varied ways of tending to children with special needs.
What is a community and how their participation matters?
In its study on community participation in education, the World Bank explores the literature on the subject and defines a community as a group of people who share a variety of traits, including location, class, race, culture, language, customs and law. Certain communities are homogeneous while others are heterogeneous, and some are united while others are conflictive.
Parents and families cannot be the only group of people for children’s education as long as their children interact with and learn from the world outside their families. Families and parents need help from their communities and society in order to raise, socialise and educate their children. It hasn’t been properly acknowledged that communities themselves have resources to give to education, even if some have historically been involved in their children’s education. Communities may be resources by imparting local knowledge to their children.
How can communities be sensitised?
Communities need to be sensitised in their involvement in their children’s education as it contributes to the creation of curriculums and educational resources that accurately depict children’s daily experiences in society. Children find it easy to make connections between what they are learning and what they already know when they read textbooks and other resources that depict their own experiences in their community.
Sensitisation can also result in the identification and treatment of elements like low participation and subpar academic achievement that may fuel educational issues at the local levels.
Further, community participation can contribute to promoting girls’ education. Through regular participation in sensitisation programmes, parents and communities can discover that girls’ education improves many aspects of their lives, including economic productivity, family health and nutrition, reduced fertility rates, and lower child mortality rates, by getting involved in school activities and keeping in regular contact with teachers.
Engaging communities and parents in achieving holistic education
Communities must become more sensitive as they understand that education is the key to progress. All of these programmes—from identifying out-of-school children to providing them with an age-appropriate curriculum through bridge programs that allow them to be admitted into regular schools—as well as providing further support through remedial education to prevent dropout rates—fulfil the objectives of the RTE.
Smile Foundation has a four-pronged strategy that prioritises children, the infrastructure of instructors, and fostering a feeling of community ownership by making children curious learners through experiential learning and community-parent interventions connected to nutrition, health, etc. This enhances teaching-learning in the classroom and takes care of the children’s well-being outside formal education institutions, which encourages regularity of the children.
Smile Foundation sensitising parents and communities
At Smile Foundation, we recognise that the foundation of a child’s education is deeply rooted in the involvement of their parents and the broader community. We understand that for education to be truly effective, it requires a collaborative effort that extends beyond the walls of a classroom. That’s why we focus on sensitising parents and communities, equipping them with the knowledge and tools they need to actively participate in their children’s educational journey.
Parents are a child’s first educators, and their role in shaping attitudes towards learning is indispensable. Smile Foundation’s initiatives aim to sensitising parents by creating a supportive home environment that encourages open communication and active participation in their child’s education. Through our Parenting Workshops and Counseling Sessions, we guide parents on positive parenting techniques, understanding child development, and staying involved in school activities. These efforts help create a nurturing and inclusive environment at home that reinforces the learning happening at school.
Communities play a critical role in reinforcing educational outcomes by providing a supportive backdrop against which children grow and learn. At Smile Foundation, we work closely with community leaders, local stakeholders, and educational institutions to build a collective vision for child education. Through our Community Mobilisation programmes, we raise awareness about the importance of education, especially for girls, and encourage communities to actively participate in school management committees and local education initiatives. This inclusive approach ensures that the community feels a sense of ownership over the educational process, contributing to more sustainable and impactful outcomes.
We invite you to be a part of this journey of good change. Together, we can ensure that education becomes a powerful tool for social change and a pathway to a more equitable and prosperous society.
Just like any worker in an office space, self-employed workers must have a safe space in which to work, access to the correct equipment and adequate training. According to statistics from the Periodic Labour Force Survey, which was evaluated in a 2020 report by Women in Informal Employment: Globalising and Organising (WIEGO), at least 17.19 million women in India work from home. In 2007, India officially recognised home-based workers as a distinct group.
A home-based worker is an individual who produces goods or services for an employer from their own home or chosen location, irrespective of whether the employer provides equipment or resources. These workers work both contractually and informally in local businesses, such as weaving, sewing, zari (embroidery)work, carpentry, bangle making, papad (papadum) making, Agarbatti (incense stick) rolling, paper goods making, packing, labelling, as well as for larger firms via sub-contractors. They are hired on a piece-rate basis for a company, trader or subcontractor.
Woes of a Self-Employed Worker
One of the primary consequences of being a home-based worker is that their economic contributions get invisibilised. It becomes challenging to account for them and create and execute policies that affect them when their work is rendered invisible. It is important to note that self-employed women workers provide financial support to their families and assist with domestic responsibilities. However, they have no access to social security or any form of protection, which results in their perpetual struggle with poverty and instability.
They are unable to secure regular employment, better payment terms and fair terms of work due to their lack of bargaining power. Also, they frequently assume the responsibility for production risks and expenses. They are exposed to a variety of hazards, such as inadequate working conditions, abuse, violence and gender-based inequalities. Let us explore this further.
Challenges Faced towards Self-Employment of Women Workers
Lower wages
Home-based workers are frequently forced to work for extremely low wages because there are no laws to protect them and they have no bargaining power. The wage disparity between formal and informal employment, as well as between men and women, is significant.
For example, the garment sector in India is characterised by the majority of men being employed full-time and receiving regular monthly compensation, while a greater number of women are employed as piece-rate worker. According to a 2020 WIEGO research, the average hourly wage of male home-based worker is INR 48, while women earn INR 24.
Absence of social security
Despite being the most vulnerable informal workers, home-based workers rarely receive social protection in most nations. Social security often includes insurance, healthcare, retirement, pensions and maternity benefits. Informal women workers pay more for healthcare and other expenses for themselves and their families without social security. This reduces their savings and ability to pay for other necessities. Many programmes that include these components are poorly executed, overburdened with paperwork and inaccessible.
Lack of access to training
Home-based workers have no access to skills training where they learn by doing or upgrade their skills. They are not trained to be aware of their problems to be empowered and confident to take action and change their situation for the better.
Poor housing conditions
Many women workers, especially those living in cities, struggle to find affordable housing and workspaces because of their low incomes. The workers’ well-being and work suffer due to the overcrowded or substandard housing conditions they live in. Poor insulation, ventilation and dampness in these houses lead to decreased productivity and health problems.
Furthermore, adding another fan or light bulb will result in increased energy costs. Women home-based workers face additional challenges due to the lack of basic amenities such as tap water. Many home-based workers live in rental properties without proper legal contracts. Being susceptible to eviction is a risk they face.
Dangers
Hazardous contaminants and toxins are present in a significant number of the raw materials that are supplied to home-based workers, particularly those that involve plastic, incense sticks, e-waste and tobacco. Women employed in the informal sector are frequently subjected to greater levels of discrimination, violence and abuse. Their invisibility in the workforce, the absence of legal provisions for the establishment of anti-sexual harassment committees and the absence of unionisation provide them with limited to no opportunities to report harassment or abuse and secure protection.
Burdens of Household responsibilities
In India, women are frequently confined to domestic duties and child care as a result of the widespread socio-cultural norms, particularly after marriage. They are disproportionately burdened by these duties. Also, their decision-making capabilities and mobility are restricted by the standards of patriarchy. The absence of an Anganwadi for caregiving increases their obligations. Thus, women workers find it hard to juggle work and household.
Making Self-employment Visible
The Ministry of Labour needs to be made aware of the issues faced by self-employed women. States should recognise the rights of self-employed workers to social protection and should put more pressure on employers to include them in their social security programs. Housing policies for these workers should consider the fact that the home serves as their workplace. Since home-based work is carried out at home, community-based training programmes and opportunities for skill improvement need to be introduced.
Smile Foundation’s self-employment programme for women
Smile Foundation’s Swabhimanprogramme is dedicated to self-employment of women by fostering self-reliance and economic independence through entrepreneurship development. Recognising the unique challenges faced by self-employed women in India—such as low wages, lack of social security, and limited access to training—Swabhiman aims to bridge these gaps by providing comprehensive support and resources to women who aspire to be entrepreneurs.
Through Swabhiman, Smile Foundation focuses on promoting self-employment as a sustainable and empowering solution for women who are often trapped in low-paying, informal jobs. The programme offers a range of training sessions and workshops designed to enhance entrepreneurial skills, such as financial literacy, business planning and market strategies. By equipping women with the knowledge and skills needed to start and manage their businesses, Swabhiman enables them to move from being invisible contributors in the informal sector to recognised entrepreneurs driving their own economic growth.
Swabhiman also emphasises creating a supportive ecosystem that addresses the multifaceted needs of aspiring women entrepreneurs. This includes facilitating access to micro-finance, connecting them with local markets, and providing mentorship from successful women leaders in business. Additionally, the programme advocates for better housing conditions and safe working environments, understanding that these factors are crucial for the success of home-based businesses.
You would think that movies and marathons don’t have much in common but both of them play a big role in shaping our personalities and dreams. Both teach us valuable life lessons, shaping our inner beliefs and expanding our horizons. In this spirit, as we look ahead to the upcoming marathons in Delhi, particularly the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon 2024, we find a unique opportunity to celebrate fitness, philanthropy, and camaraderie at the VDHM’24. And to ignite your motivation to run For Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon, we draw inspiration from three exceptional films that encapsulate the essence of running and perseverance. These stories not only inspire but also highlight the values that will help you conquer the finish line and make every mile count toward a greater cause.
Inspiration to Action at VDHM
1. McFarland, USA (2015): Embracing Team Spirit and Overcoming Adversity
“McFarland, USA” tells the true story of a high school cross-country team in a small California town, composed largely of underserved students. Despite their humble beginnings and numerous obstacles, Coach Jim White leads them to become state champions. This film highlights the power of teamwork and the belief that success is achievable despite daunting odds.
An inspirational movie that beautifully captures the spirit of unity. It shows that the moment one decides to change their circumstances, nothing can deter them from their path. Furthermore, the relationship between the coach and his team shows the power of faith, which signifies that many people are clueless about their own potential unless someone shows faith in them and gives them the opportunity to explore and unleash their potential.
2. The Barkley Marathons: The Race That Eats Its Young (2014): Pushing Beyond Limits
This documentary explores the Barkley Marathons, renowned as one of the most gruelling ultra-marathons in the world. It reveals the race’s brutal nature and the exceptional dedication required to finish it. Since its inception in 1986, only 20 runners have managed to complete this extraordinary challenge. The film highlights the extreme emotions and immense struggles faced by participants, who navigate a 100-mile course with around 16,500 metres of elevation gain—equivalent to climbing Mount Everest twice. The documentary vividly captures the participants’ relentless drive and mental fortitude, showcasing their awe-inspiring determination to conquer this formidable race.
3. Forrest Gump (1994): Running as a Metaphor for Life
In Forrest Gump, the protagonist’s iconic running scenes transcend physical activity and symbolise his journey through life’s highs and lows. Forrest’s relentless running represents his indomitable spirit and his ability to overcome any obstacle.
As a child afflicted with polio, Forrest endures significant challenges and ridicule due to his condition. However, he takes control of his life by starting to run, despite initially being hindered by leg braces. His persistence pays off when the braces eventually fall away, allowing him to run freely and unencumbered. This transformation illustrates that with determination and willpower, there is always a way forward.
These films—McFarland, USA, The Barkley Marathons: The Race That Eats Its Young, and Forrest Gump—reveal how running transcends mere physical activity to become a profound metaphor for human development and resilience.
From McFarland, USA’s team unity and overcoming adversity, to The Barkley Marathons relentless push against unimaginable challenges, and Forrest Gump’s symbolic journey through life’s trials, each story underscores running’s power to unveil human potential. Running not only showcases our capacity to overcome the gravest obstacles but also inspires us to harness this strength for personal and societal transformation, spreading the profound impact of human capability and determination.
VDHM- Run For Change
Run For Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon alongside Smile Foundation to combine athletic success with significant social contribution. Smile Foundation is dedicated to addressing critical challenges in education, health, and livelihood across urban, rural, and tribal areas of India. By teaming up with us, runners directly support transformative educational programs for underserved children in these regions.
Our Shiksha Na Rukeinitiative stands is a commitment to educational equality. This programme offerscomprehensive learning experiences at Mission Education centres, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and India’s educational reforms, including the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and STEM education. These centres go beyond academic instruction, providing holistic support to promote the overall growth of children.
Smile Foundation adopts alifecycle approach to ensure that every child has access to quality education and development. From early childhood through adolescence, continuous support is provided, laying a strong foundation for future success and benefiting their communities.
Movie, Inspiration, Marathons for Positive Change
As a parent to SIFFCY— Smile International Film Festival for Children and Youth— we champion the power of films that shape young minds with positive virtues. By drawing inspiration from the abovementioned impactful movies, individuals can be inspired to experience and value the will and resilience needed to overcome life’s challenges. These powerful movies inspire viewers to appreciate and embody the will and resilience needed to overcome life’s challenges. They highlight the importance of perseverance, determination, and mutual trust, which can create a ripple effect of positive change in individuals’ lives. This transformation extends beyond personal growth, reaching underserved children who need support to pursue their education and escape the cycle of economic stagnation.
Thus, Run For Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon 2024 with Smile Foundation, and channel the lessons from these compelling stories into your marathon journey. Approach the race with renewed purpose and determination. Run not only for personal achievement but also for a cause that truly makes a difference in the lives of young innocent children.
Join us at the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon 2024. Run with heart, purpose, and passion.
Register now to become healthy and run for a good purpose.
