Badlaav: Pune's catalyst for gender equality and mental health
In a world where gender discrimination still persists, the NGO Badlaav in Pune is leading the charge for change. Dedicated to promoting gender equality and empowering girls, the organisation is making waves with its impactful programs aimed at providing counseling, training courses, and raising awareness about menstrual hygiene.
Radhika Dhingra, cofounder, and director of NGO Badlaav, is on a silent crusade against injustice to children in the Pune district of Maharashtra. The NGO holds campaigns and provides counseling at its four centers across Pune to sensitise girls about menstrual hygiene and the stigma surrounding it. It aims to uplift girls from marginalised communities through education, skill-building, and advocacy, providing a safe space for them to voice their concerns, seek support, and access resources to thrive.
Badlaav carries out comprehensive counseling and training courses specifically for girls. This year, they have started summer camps for children to engage them, empower them, and address taboo subjects such as menstrual hygiene.
Through awareness campaigns, workshops, and distribution of hygiene products, the organisation strives to debunk myths, eliminate stigma, and promote healthy practices surrounding menstruation. By fostering open discussions and providing access to menstrual hygiene resources, Badlaav ensures that girls can manage their periods with dignity and without shame. The summer camp courses cover a wide range of topics including selfesteem building, leadership development, mental health awareness, and reproductive health education. By equipping girls with essential life skills and knowledge, it empowers them to navigate life's challenges with confidence and resilience. Speaking with The Free Press Journal, Radhika Dhingra, the founder of Badlaav,
said, "We believe that every girl deserves the opportunity to reach her full potential, free from discrimination and constraints imposed by societal norms."
She added, "By investing in girls' education, health, and well-being, we are not only empowering individuals but also building a more equitable and inclusive society for all."
Aboli, a community mental health practitioner who has been working with Badlaav for two years, told Free Press Journal, "I conduct Mental health workshops for the kids as they are exposed to an environment where they witness a lot of domestic violence. We have been conducting sessions at different schools for students under the age group of 12-16 because they hit puberty and their bodies go through many changes, leaving the students confused. So, we provide counseling and a safe space where they can share their thoughts."
She added, "There was one school in Kharadi where we received a complaint that a lot of students are involved in selfharm practices. So, we conducted a workshop where we indirectly addressed the issue because it becomes a sensitive topic for students who are contemplating or going through that phase. We help the students overcome their mental distress by addressing the issue and providing them a safe space where they can share their thoughts and emotional turmoil."
We believe that every girl deserves the opportunity to reach her full potential, free from discrimination and constraints imposed by societal norms – Radhika Dhingra, the founder of Badlaav