Bhagwant Mann Govt Launches ‘Period Friendly Punjab’, Reaching 3.4 Lakh Girls Across 3,600 Schools

The Punjab Government has decided to roll out menstrual health education across government schools, targeting adolescent girls in every district. Under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Menstrual Hygiene Curriculum will reach more than 3.4 lakh students from Classes VI to X in over 3,600 schools, marking one of India's largest such school-based programmes.

The first round of classroom sessions under this curriculum is scheduled across these government schools on 29.05.2026. Officials stressed that the aim is to ensure menstruation never blocks girls' learning, regular attendance, participation in school activities, or confidence. The programme directly targets gaps in awareness that often affect adolescent health and dignity during school years.

Punjab Government Menstrual Hygiene Curriculum and menstrual health education design

To make the initiative effective in classrooms, the Punjab Government has adopted a three-session model that uses story-based learning and age-appropriate content. Lessons are conducted through interactive storytelling, guided discussions, and group activities. The approach is designed to make conversations about periods feel normal, comfortable, and respectful for both students and teachers inside government schools.

The curriculum is delivered in Punjabi so that students can understand concepts easily and express doubts without hesitation. Sessions use the story of Ruby, a 10-year-old character, to introduce menstruation and bodily changes. Through Ruby’s experiences, students learn about hygiene, self-care, emotional changes, and how supportive peer environments can reduce shame or secrecy around periods.

Punjab Government menstrual health education in partnership with WASH United

The Bhagwant Mann Government has developed and launched this initiative in partnership with WASH United, an international non-profit organisation working on menstrual health awareness globally. Officials said the collaboration helped design structured, interactive classroom sessions under the Menstrual Hygiene Curriculum, tailored to local context while following global best practices for adolescent health education.

According to the Punjab Government, the programme seeks to build a modern, inclusive public education system that treats menstrual health as essential information, not a taboo topic. By introducing menstrual health education during regular school hours, authorities hope to replace myths and social stigma with accurate knowledge, confidence, and respect for girls’ bodily autonomy.

Before the statewide launch, the Bhagwant Mann Government prioritised intensive teacher preparation to ensure sensitive delivery. Around 100 State Resource Persons were first trained as Master Trainers. These trainers then conducted cascade trainings across all 23 districts, preparing teachers from thousands of government schools to lead sessions with clarity and empathy.

Overall, around 7,200 teachers have already been trained to handle classroom discussions on menstruation. Officials said this preparation is crucial for creating safe spaces where students can ask questions openly. Trained teachers are expected to correct misinformation, maintain privacy, and respond without judgement, so that adolescent girls feel respected and heard.

The large-scale roll-out is based on experience from an earlier pilot project held in more than 100 government schools across all 23 districts, involving over 45,000 students. Feedback from that pilot suggested the curriculum was both practical and acceptable to teachers and learners, encouraging the Punjab Government to expand menstrual health education across the state.

Data from the pilot showed strong support among teachers. According to the Punjab Government, 97% of participating teachers reported feeling confident to deliver period education using the new material, while 94% recommended that the Menstrual Hygiene Curriculum should be expanded across Punjab. Around 88% said the curriculum was easier and more effective than previous approaches, and 80% noticed active student participation.

Teachers associated with the pilot reported that the curriculum helped adolescent girls speak more freely about menstruation and related concerns. They observed that students were better able to challenge long-standing stigma and silence around periods. Classroom dialogue became more open, and questions that were earlier avoided could finally be discussed in a structured, respectful way.

Jaspreet Kaur, a teacher from Faridkot, said, "The Menstrual Hygiene Curriculum effectively breaks menstrual taboos by creating safe spaces for girls to ask questions and share experiences. The interactive approach using stories, games, and visuals makes learning relatable and reduces stigma. It definitely is a transformative tool for dignity and inclusion."

Another teacher, Monika Sood from Amritsar, said that girls engaged actively with the sessions and shared how menstruation is often treated inside homes and communities. Monika Sood pointed out that limited awareness about menstrual hygiene can create several health-related issues for adolescents, while clear guidance helps girls understand their bodies with greater confidence and self-respect.

Teachers also emphasised that the programme gradually made conversation about periods feel normal. Silvi, a teacher from Moga, said that both girls and teachers who were earlier hesitant eventually spoke about menstruation without fear or discomfort. According to Silvi, this shift in classroom culture showed that structured guidance can change attitudes within a short period.

Students who took part in the pilot shared similar views. Komal Preet Kaur, a Class IX student from Sangrur, said the sessions boosted confidence and clarified that periods are a normal biological process, not an illness. Another student, Dimple Rani from Moga, said she enjoyed the interactive style and later discussed what she learned with her mother at home.

Tanisha, a Class X student, said the curriculum made girls feel represented and comfortable, which encouraged honest conversation. Tanisha said that during sessions, girls could talk freely without shame. Officials believe such responses show the potential of structured menstrual health education to improve both emotional wellbeing and peer support among adolescent girls.

Officials also linked this initiative to broader legal and social recognition of menstrual health. They said the programme reflects the spirit of the Supreme Court of India’s observations that menstrual hygiene relates directly to dignity, equality, and education for adolescents. By addressing these concerns in schools, the Punjab Government aims to align classroom practice with these constitutional values.

Beyond menstrual health, the initiative is being viewed as part of wider education reform under CM Bhagwant Singh Mann. The Punjab Government has been working to improve school infrastructure, upgrade teacher training, and focus on student wellbeing and modern learning methods across government schools. Menstrual health education is now positioned as one key element within this broader effort.

Officials stated that by embedding menstrual health education in government schools through the Menstrual Hygiene Curriculum, Punjab is strengthening awareness while building a more supportive learning environment for adolescent girls. They said the initiative is expected to enhance student wellbeing, support consistent participation in education, and help create a more informed and confident generation of young women across the state.