Over time, the role of women and their rights have changed enormously over time. Society has only just evolved from restricting women’s rights, to now having them in charge of major corporations, running for presidency and more. Despite these advancements, over 500 million women around the world, especially in rural areas, still do not have proper education and access to proper feminine hygiene and care. In these communities, female hygiene is never fully addressed and women don’t have an understanding of how to take care of their bodies.
Here is where the nonprofit HER (Hygiene, Educate, Repeat) Essentials comes into play. HER Essentials was founded by Lambert students Tia Gupta, Anvi Vulavala, Akshaya Kondamuri and Alliance Academy student Anya Baddam. It is a non-profit organization focused on promoting feminine hygiene and providing proper products for women who live in less fortunate areas which do not have access to such necessities. Their mission is to empower and educate women on their rights, their bodies and their health.
Thousands of women do not even know of menstrual cycles and care until their period actually happens. This leaves them underprepared and unknowing of how to take care of themselves.
“There’s so many people that don’t have enough education on basic hygiene and as a female,” Gupta explained.
This nonprofit was created as these students noticed that not enough females were educated about their bodily care. They wanted to create awareness specifically about female hygiene and have an environment for women to receive support.
HER Essentials was officially launched this past summer and has engaged in multiple projects since. In August 2024, they donated care packages to a women’s shelter in Cherokee County, Bethany’s Place. These care packages included important hygiene products such as shampoo and body wash, as well as specific feminine products like pads. Additionally, they held a fundraiser in Alpharetta to raise money for the organization. Since their founding, they have raised over $300 in funds.
HER Essentials also plans to further expand and begin new projects. They are currently laying the groundwork for a product drive targeted towards women’s products, in which people can donate different female necessities.
However, their ambitions do not stop there. HER plans to broaden marketing efforts and to raise more awareness for these issues and their organization.
“If you target and try to get your point out to men, they can also donate and help with your cause,” Kondamuri noted.
Currently, they are focused on advocating their cause to females but they are working to expand their audience to men. This would also allow them to potentially receive more donations and support as well as spread their cause.
Overall, HER Essentials has begun to help so many women and their efforts to make a difference are starting to pay off.
“It’s a good feeling because you know you’re actually making an impact on others and it’s not just for yourself,” Anvi Vulavala expressed.
Women around the world don’t have access to proper menstrual products or the necessary education about how to have proper feminine hygiene. HER Essentials is changing that by focusing on educating everyone – not just women – on feminine care. These Lambert students have taken the first step in making a great difference.
