Mavayna Manav (Mansi)” is a highly-motivated young humanitarian who has decided to dedicate her life to empower women. She has won many Prestigious Awards for Sustainable Development Goal’s SDG’s. She is on a mission to improve the lives of women and children with her main focus towards passing the torch of self-awareness and self-love through positive and motivating discussions on female health and menstrual hygiene. It has been because of her drive to encourage women to freely talk about menstrual hygiene that she has been appointed as the Menstrual Hygiene Management Ambassador for the Gramalaya & Carevanta Foundation.
Mavayna has now conceptualized the idea of PADYATRA, which is going to be the world’s first and longest walk of its kind. Through PADYATRA, she aims at making the talks on menstrual hygiene a part of the mainstream discussion among women and girls, specifically coming from the weaker economic sections of the society.
Taking the world’s first and longest journey (yatra), titled “Pad-Yatra”, is to soon begin a country-wide awareness about the Demon, for Menstrual Hygiene and women empowerment for poor, Mavayna firmly believes in passing the torch of self-awareness and self-love through positive and encouraging talks on female health and menstrual hygiene. Along with Team “Period.end of Sentence”
FWM: You have dedicated your young life to empowering women. Tell us about your work with the oscar-winning documentary, Period. End of Sentence.
Period. End of Sentence was the beginning of my journey to serve society. It was this movie, which inspired me to do what I am doing now. I went with the team of the movie to villages, in different parts of the country and realized how badly women need the support, the awareness and the courage to say what is needed for maintaining their dignity.
FWM: Recently you were appointed Delhi State Chairperson-Youth wing for National Human rights and humanitarian federation. What is your hope for this position?
Firstly, it was an honor to be appointed in this position. It gives me the chance to do something for the betterment of women and children, which is an integral part of my life purpose. I would also try to motivate the Youth towards such causes so that we all can shape a better society.
“PADYATRA is the biggest project that I have conceptualized, to start a countrywide awareness drive that aims to make talks on menstrual hygiene, a part of the mainstream discussion.”
FWM: What is your mantra?
My main mantra in life is to stay positive and love others without having any big expectations from them. I just want to be ME, and spread positivity by being that.
FWM: How have you impacted the lives of women and children? What have you learned during the process?
One of the first few things that I did was that I gave sessions to rural and urban women on how to be hygienic during periods. In the rural areas, there are fewer facilities; that coupled with the mindset of periods being a taboo doesn’t let women live freer lives. An interesting thing I found in my research is that even though the women in the cities have more facilities in regard to the resources available, they too are haunted by the taboo mindset and do not freely talk about it. Pads are still sold and bought as if there is a bomb inside! I intend to change this scenario, to the new one where women can freely talk about periods because they are as natural as any other bodily process. An important life lesson that I learned from this research is that the rural women survive with a subtle smile, even when they face so many challenges, and we sometimes don’t feel satisfied even after having so much. They have taught me to be grateful for whatever I have in life.
FMW: Share your advice for women who want to make a difference.
The first thing, always, is to set a goal for yourself and then take the required baby steps towards it. Things take time to happen, but if you are determined enough, you will certainly achieve everything you want. What I can say from my journey is that if you take inspiration from something or someone, you will get the drive you need to move towards your goals. That inspiration acts as your fuel! Also, give your 100% in whatever you choose to do, and success will definitely come to you.
FWM: What are your upcoming projects?
PADYATRA is the biggest project that I have conceptualized, to start a countrywide awareness drive that aims to make talks on menstrual hygiene, a part of the mainstream discussion. It will be a continuous journey across the nation and we will be conducting seminars/workshops, and activities to educate women about menstrual hygiene management. This movement is my contribution towards women empowerment, in which the major focus is going to be on the women and girls of weaker economic sections of the society. I believe that if we start positive and encouraging discussions on female health and menstrual hygiene, we can pass the torch of self-awareness and self-love to women, and then, they too can be freer and happier with the new light in their lives.
State Chairperson, Youth Wing “NHRHF” 🇮🇳
Global Peace Ambassador 🇲🇾
Ambassador “My Body is My Body” USA 🇺🇸
WYIMUN Ambassador 🇬🇧🇺🇳
Child Ambassador “THAC” Finland 🇫🇮
Secretary “NWCD” 🇮🇳
Dreamonx Global Ambassador 🇮🇳
International Commission for Peace, Right, and Freedom
Ambassador for Asia Pacific International Model United Nations 2020.
