Bollywood stars back Menstrual Hygiene Day with a red dot

As we observe ‘Menstrual Hygiene Day’ on May 28, Bollywood stars have thrown their weight behind shattering stigma and taboo around this topic. Here’s a look at the stars who have taken on the Red Dot Challenge, launched by UNICEF India, to display their solidarity with the women who still lack personal hygiene products and face backlash every month during their period. Twinkle Khanna, who produced the Bollywood biopic ‘Padman’ that revolved around a man who came up with budget-friendly sanitary pads for women in Indian villages, also voiced her support. Here’s a look at the stars who are eager to put an end to period shaming …

Manushi Chhillar: “Every young girl has the right to accurate information about her body. Without the right information, girls often don’t know how to safely manage their period. It’s time to break the silence. I am calling all girls, boys, women and men to take the #reddotchallenge with me.”

Neha Dhupia: “Period: Only 12 per cent of women & girls have access to sanitary menstrual hygiene in India with a majority of them relying on outdated, unhygienic methods during menstruation,” tweeted Dhupia, while displaying the red dot on her palms.

Dia Mirza: “We need to put a period on shaming the period. I used biodegradable sanitary napkins. Menstural cups and re-usable cloth napkins need to be accessible and cost-effective. Spread the word and be the change,” tweeted actress and UN goodwill ambassador for environment.

Ananya Birla: The singer has urged everyone to put an end to “period shaming”. She participated in the red dot challenge by tweeting: “Break the taboo and acts to end the stigma behind menstruation.”

Twinkle Khanna: The producer of ‘Padman’, the Bollywood film that brought the issue of lack of disposable sanitary pads to the front, has been constantly tweeting about the women who have actively tried to end period shaming. She tweeted about a woman named Shalini who used her poetry to spread awareness on menstruation.