‘Men Take Lead Ride’ is a historic ride to mark the International Menstrual Hygiene Day on 28th May 2017 in Bengaluru starting at 8 am at Bangalore Town Hall for a stigma free menstruation. The riders will cover 40 kilometres to mark the 40 years a woman menstruates in her lifetime. The route is Townhall – Mekhri circle – Iskon -PES College -Devegowda Petrol Bunk – JP Nagar – Silk Board – HSR Layout BDA Complex. At the end point the bikers and supporters of the ride will take a pledge to end stigma around menstruation in our homes, schools, workplaces and community.

Men Take Lead Ride is aimed to break the stereotype of what is male and female in our society and having men take lead to end the shame associated with menstruation and the culture of silence because periods are not just a woman’s issue – it is everyone’s issue!

The event is organised by Breaking the Silence, a global campaign to end myths, taboos and shame around menstruation and initiative targeted to educate rural girls and women in India the hygienic management of menstruation and safe and environment-friendly disposal of used sanitary material in partnership with India Bull Riders, the largest Royal Enfield motorcycle riding club which believes in unity in diversity and discards orthodox barriers of caste, creed, colour, religion or sex.

“Menstruation is considered a taboo in households where mothers do not talk about it to their daughters and girls walk into this phase ill-equipped to manage it. Why should a natural life giving phenomenon be shrouded in shame and silence? It is time for us to educate people and make changes in the household level?” Urmila Chanam, Founder of Breaking the Silence Campaign shares.

R Chakravarthy at 84 is joining Men Take Lead ride.’ When we are born our mothers have gone through a lot of pain and sacrifice to give us this life yet they have more physical discomfort because of their body function. It is our duty to understand and reduce this. This ride means a lot to me and I will ride inspite of a small injury I have suffered recently,’ he says.

Vinay Nagaraj, 36, Bengalurean, from India Bull Riders who works as Program Manager in HP Inc managing projects on data analytics but in his personal life he loves travelling and exploring new places. He shares with us what riding means to him: “Biking helps me to kick out the monotony of my routine life. I feel alive with every rush of the throttle and the thrill of facing and finding the unknown. I enjoy getting hair-raising experience of going through some treacherous mountains pass or riding through beautiful ghats.” His motto in life is,” Do what makes you happy and live life as if it’s your last day on earth.” This out-door freak who loves trekking, adventure sports, marathon and cross fit believes strongly about guy’s role in making the world a better place for women. “Respect women, stand up for them and be there when they need you.”

Men Take Lead Ride will bring the topic of menstruation out from the closet into public eye and demonstrate that menstruation is not just a woman’s issue, even men need education on it and their support and understanding is required to attain menstrual hygiene among girls and women in India.

For more details, contact Urmila Chanam and Radio Active 90.4 Mhz Community Radio.

Note: This is an article published under Message Forward section, meant for information from nonprofits and public interest messages.