Aditi Gupta, a prominent Indian author and the co-founder of Menstrupedia Comic, has been a driving force in challenging societal norms and promoting awareness about menstruation. Her journey, from being an engineering graduate to becoming a fervent advocate for menstrual hygiene and education, not only inspires but also holds significant relevance in a country like India, where menstruation stigma and misconceptions persist.
Early Life and Influences
Born in Garhwa, Jharkhand, India, Aditi Gupta pursued post-graduate studies in new media design at the National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad. It was during her time at NID that she crossed paths with her future husband, Tuhin Paul, marking the beginning of a transformative journey aimed at reshaping societal perceptions surrounding menstruation in India.
Aditi’s mission was fueled by the realisation that, despite being highly educated, many people remained uninformed about the intricacies of menstruation. Experiencing her first menstruation at 12, she only received formal education about it at 15—a common experience for many girls in India. Aditi grappled with age-old traditions that restricted her entry into places of worship, dictated where she could sit, and compelled her to wash and dry her clothes separately. Additionally, she faced restrictions on using available sanitary napkins due to perceived threats to her family’s honour.
Career and the Menstrupedia Initiative
Aditi Gupta’s personal experiences led her to take action. Conducting a year-long, in-depth study on menstruation, she gathered insights from doctors and girls alike. This research laid the groundwork for her groundbreaking initiative, Menstrupedia.
Established in November 2012 as a thesis project during Aditi and Tuhin Paul’s tenure at NID, Menstrupedia initially started as a website. It has since evolved into an informative platform educating pre-teens and teenagers about puberty, sexuality, and menstruation.
Menstrupedia has been a transformative force in India and beyond, providing a user-friendly guide to menstruation, hygiene, and puberty while dispelling associated myths. The platform includes comic books, blogs, a Q&A section, and a Learn section, with Menstrupedia’s comics available in fourteen languages and reaching over 18 countries.
Aditi Gupta actively ensures Menstrupedia’s knowledge reaches the masses by successfully implementing its materials in schools across five states in North India. These comic books have been embraced by students, parents, and teachers, breaking the silence surrounding menstruation and empowering the youth.
Campaigns and Accolades
Collaborating with Whisper India, Aditi Gupta and Menstrupedia have initiated impactful campaigns, such as the “Touch the Pickle” movement, aimed at dispelling myths and taboos surrounding menstruation. This movement has garnered celebrity support from figures like Shraddha Kapoor, Parineeti Chopra, Kalki Koechlin, Neha Dhupia, and Mandira Bedi.
Aditi Gupta’s outstanding work and dedication earned her a place in the Forbes India 30 Under 30 list in 2014, a testament to her influence and unwavering commitment to menstrual hygiene and education.
Today, Menstrupedia attracts around one lakh visitors monthly, showcasing its significant impact in raising awareness about menstruation. Aditi’s comic books are not confined to schools but have been embraced by NGOs such as Protsahan, Munshi Jagannath Bhagwan Smriti Sansthan, Instincts, Kanha, and even two Buddhist monasteries in Ladakh.
Aditi Gupta’s journey serves as an inspiration for global advocates for change and stigma eradication. Through Menstrupedia, she has not only reshaped perceptions of menstruation but has also equipped young girls and boys with the knowledge they deserve. Aditi’s trajectory from a small town in India to the global stage exemplifies the transformative power of one person’s determination to make a difference, one comic book at a time.
