Aditi Gupta, an Indian author and co-founder of Menstrupedia Comic, has been making waves in the field of women’s health and education. Alongside her husband, Tuhin Paul, Aditi embarked on a mission to raise awareness about menstruation and debunk societal myths surrounding it. Through their innovative comic book, Menstrupedia, Aditi Gupta is revolutionizing the way young girls and women perceive and manage their menstrual health.
Born in Garhwa, Jharkhand, Aditi Gupta pursued her engineering studies before attaining a post-graduate degree in new media design from the prestigious National Institute of Design in Ahmedabad. It was during her time at the institute that Aditi and Tuhin recognized a significant knowledge gap and widespread misconceptions about menstruation, even among educated individuals. This realization fueled their determination to tackle this issue head-on.
Aditi’s personal experiences with menstruation further solidified her commitment to promoting menstrual health education. Like many girls in India, she received limited information about menstruation, and it wasn’t until the age of 15 that she was formally introduced to the subject in school. Aditi had to adhere to age-old traditions and face restrictions such as not being allowed to touch places of worship or other people’s beds. She also faced challenges when it came to accessing sanitary napkins due to societal taboos.
Motivated by the lack of awareness and understanding surrounding menstruation, Aditi Gupta conducted extensive research for a year. Collaborating with doctors and girls, she devised a creative solution—a comic book that would provide accurate information in an engaging manner. In November 2012, Aditi and Tuhin officially launched Menstrupedia, initially as a thesis project at the National Institute of Design. Since then, Menstrupedia has blossomed into a comprehensive platform that offers information on puberty, sexuality, and menstrual hygiene for pre-teens and teenagers.
Menstrupedia aims to dispel myths and present information on menstruation and puberty in a culturally sensitive and accessible way. The website hosts a wide array of resources, including comic books, blogs, a Q&A section, and a Learn section. Currently available in fourteen languages, the Menstrupedia comics have reached more than 18 countries. Aditi Gupta’s work extends beyond digital platforms—she has actively distributed these comic books in schools across several states in North India, including Mehsana, Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad, and Ranchi. Students, parents, and teachers have embraced Menstrupedia’s educational materials, recognizing their invaluable contribution to menstrual health awareness.
Through collaborations with organizations like Whisper India, Menstrupedia has initiated impactful campaigns, including the Touch the Pickle movement. Actresses such as Shraddha Kapoor, Parineeti Chopra, Kalki Koechlin, Neha Dhupia, and Mandira Bedi have joined forces with Aditi Gupta to challenge menstruation-related stigmas. Aditi’s exceptional work has garnered recognition, including a spot on the Forbes India 30 Under 30 list.
Menstrupedia continues to make a significant impact, attracting approximately one lakh visitors to the website every month. NGOs like Protsahan, Munshi Jagannath Bhagwan Smriti Sansthan, Instincts, and Kanha, as well as two Buddhist monasteries in Ladakh, have utilized Menstrupedia’s comic books to educate and empower young girls.
Aditi Gupta’s dedication and pioneering efforts to break the silence around menstruation have undoubtedly transformed the lives of countless individuals. Her work serves as an inspiration for others to challenge societal taboos and ensure that every young girl and woman has access to accurate information.
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