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Maya Vishwakarma is also called the "Pad-woman" of India. She has worked hard to break the myths around periods. Many Indian women from rural villages have started using sanitary pads because of the initiatives taken by Maya Vishwakarma. Her dedication and sincerity towards the cause of protecting rural women from Reproductive Tract Infections and Urinary Tract Infections is truly inspiring. These infections are caused by using cloth pads instead of sanitary pads during periods. The cloth pads are non-absorbent. They cause itching and ultimately, various kinds of vaginal infections.
As a female Indian Scientist, Maya Vishwakarma understood the stigma around women's menstruation cycle or periods. She knew that countless Indian women continue to suffer in silence because they are too embarrassed to talk about their period problems. So, she quit her well-paying job in California, USA and came back to India. Since then, there has been no looking back.
If you are interested in social services, you'll find Maya Vishwakarma's story truly inspiring. We at Glow & Lovely Careers (formerly known as Fair & Lovely Career Foundation) have a social work course online called, Social Work Practice: Advocating Social Justice and Change. The course will help you understand the duties and responsibilities of a social worker. It will also make you ready to face the unique challenges of doing social work in India. Maya Vishwakarma started on her own, leaving the comforts of life in a developed country to improve the lives of women in her homeland. You too can bring about such a change if you work with passion.
Here are 5 ways in which Maya Vishwakarma’s story can inspire yours.
1. Fought All Odds
Maya Vishwakarma was born in the small village of Narsinghpur district of Madhya Pradesh to agricultural labourers. They did not have much in terms of money or property. However, Maya did not let this stop her from pursuing higher education. In a village, where most girls get married after completing schooling, Maya dared to move out of the village to pursue higher studies.
2. Early Life Experience Inspired Her
Maya says that she had not heard of sanitary napkins till the age of 26. When she started getting her periods, she was told to use a cloth by her aunt. Because of this, Maya suffered from many health issues. But, she used her sufferings to inspire herself to help others. She pledged that no other girl from her country would have to face this kind of unnecessary pain.
3. Started Her Foundation
Maya had been staying in the United States for almost 10 years. She was working on Cancer research. However, after moving back to India, Maya shifted her focus on providing low cost and affordable sanitary napkins to rural women. For this purpose, she started the Sukarma Foundation. The foundation not only manufacturers sanitary napkins but also provides rural women with employment opportunities.
4. Giving India Global Exposure
She is passionate about getting Hindi Poetry the acceptance and recognition it deserves. Which is why Maya organized an online Kavi Sammelan. The event was a big hit with many Hindi poets participating in it from around the globe. As a social worker, you must have this unique talent of bringing many people from different regions on a single platform.
5. Applied For AAP Nomination
If you feel you can make a difference, you must raise your hand to take responsibility. Just like Maya. This brave woman was not afraid of getting into politics. Maya joined the Aam Aadmi Party and fought elections from Hoshangabad, Madhya Pradesh. She did her best to seek votes and be an active participant in helping shape the nation's political policies, especially those affecting women.