By Riddhi Ajay Bhatia for BIS Mumbai

On August 26, 2025, Don Bosco Academy, Nerul in collaboration with, Nexus Mall Seawoods, successfully conducted the ‘Happyness For Her’ campaign—an important CSR initiative aimed at raising menstrual hygiene awareness among teenagers and ladies the migrant community at large.

Despite intermittent showers throughout the day, the event proceeded smoothly from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM, drawing a strong turnout of community members from around 20 communities, staff trainers from the tailoring, beautician and mehandi courses at DBA, students from the NIOS and dedicated volunteers. Over 125 attendees contributed actively to the event’s success. To ensure everyone’s comfort and smooth coordination, umbrellas and stationery were distributed among the volunteers and participants, alongside sanitary pads provided to the female attendees as part of the campaign’s efforts to promote healthy menstrual hygiene practices.

Rev Fr Shekar Mariadas opened the session by welcoming and introducing the guest speakers for the day. He spoke of the importance of maintaining a healthy mind and body. The session was skilfully led by Mrs Laxmi Menon and Mr Terrance Pascal, whose knowledge and empathetic approach created a comfortable and engaging atmosphere for the participants. 

 They connected with the audience, answered questions thoughtfully, and addressed their concerns. This was highly appreciated by the audience.

The campaign featured a comprehensive and engaging awareness session. The session covered key aspects of menstrual health and hygiene, focusing on the importance of maintaining good hygiene during menstruation. It addressed common myths and misconceptions surrounding menstruation, emphasizing hygienic practices that contribute to better health outcomes. The session also aimed to break the stigma and encourage open, supportive conversations around the topic.

The current situation where girls are attaining menarche at an earlier age is due to many life style reasons. Simple measures like eating healthy food and a balanced diet, regular exercise and managing stress go a long way in avoiding problems such as painful periods. Many attendees expressed gratitude for the clear information and the respectful environment provided during the discussions.

As was highlighted by the guest speakers that DBA is doing a wonderful job under the able guidance of Rev Fr Barnabe Dsouza to reach out to the community and bridge the gap of needs in the communities.  Special efforts were made to connect with the community through Mr Mathew George and his team at Don Bosco Academy’s Social Development Cell, which played a crucial role in mobilizing volunteers and spreading awareness before and during the event. 

This outreach helped ensure that the message reached a wide audience, including young girls who could benefit most from such knowledge.

In addition to the awareness session, the campaign included the distribution of sanitary pads, umbrellas, and stationery to the attendees and volunteers, reinforcing both the practical and logistical support aspects of the initiative.

The ‘Happyness For Her’ campaign is a significant step forward in creating menstrual hygiene awareness and fostering a supportive dialogue within the community. This collaborative effort between Nexus Seawoods and Don Bosco Academy highlights the impact that well-coordinated, community-driven CSR initiatives can have in promoting health, wellness, and education.