ABOUT THE MILLENNIUM FELLOWSHIP - CLASS OF 2022
United Nations Academic Impact and MCN are proud to partner on the Millennium Fellowship. Over 31,000 young leaders on 2,400+ campuses across 140+ nations applied to join the Class of 2022. 200+ campuses worldwide (just 8%) were selected to host the 3,000+ Millennium Fellows.
UNITED NATIONS ACADEMIC IMPACT AND MCN PROUDLY PRESENT VIBHUTI RAO, A MILLENNIUM FELLOW FOR THE CLASS OF 2022.
Symbiosis International (Deemed University) Noida | Noida, India | Advancing SDG 12 & UNAI 9
" Impact.' The primary reason that I am absolutely elated to be a Millennium Fellow is that this is an opportunity to connect and learn from dynamic young individuals who are compassionate and truly believe in a cause that is bigger than them. This reinstates my belief in the power of small steps toward bringing about change and that nothing is impossible with sheer grit and strong teamwork. I'm doing this because it matters and yet is so neglected due to the social stigma attached to it. Creating awareness of menstrual rights is a question of access, knowledge, and choice, and I hope to bridge the gaps between these for women to make more informed decisions on menstrual hygiene. I aim to empower women to break free of dogmatic ideas thrust upon them and choose freely what's best for them. "
Millennium Fellowship Project: Say Yes To Cups
1. Primary Aim of the project
To thoroughly increase awareness on the available products for menstrual hygiene other than the greater-known ones such as sanitary napkins and to encourage the use of sanitary napkins and tampons with menstrual cups on a mass level. For achieving this goal, the project encompasses two major tasks,
1) ground-level research on the use of sanitary napkins versus menstrual cups and
2) sensitization of the target group on the amount of waste generation and harmful effects of the use of sanitary pads and encouraging the substitution of pads with menstrual cups.
2. Why this aim
Menstruation is a large-scale issue and sensitization towards the same is the need of the hour. Menstruation is a biological phenomenon that is beyond our control but how we manage it and deal with its chain of consequences is a responsible choice. Looking at the current scenario, it is essential to achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release into the air, water, and soil in order to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment
By the year 2030, there should be a substantial reduction in waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse. Moreover, it is a duty to ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature. We aim to achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations and locations. An aim is to, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing the release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater, and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally.
Menstruating population deserves information about the impact of the product they use on the environment and their bodies and consciously exercise the choice of shifting to menstrual cups as per the needs of their bodies. One ought to make the best possible subjective choice for themselves when they have complete information about the options available to them. An informed opinion is the crux of a compassionate community of people that consume smartly and responsibly.
About the Millennium Fellow
Vibhuti Rao is an undergraduate Law and Arts student at Symbiosis International (Deemed) University, Noida. Vibs believes in the unfathomable power of choice and access to knowledge. Through her project, she hopes to empower women around her in making more informed decisions about their menstrual hygiene. After graduation, she plans to acquire a master's degree in Human Rights and Gender Law and become a public litigator in homage to society's unheard voices. Vibs aspires to build a world in which women feel free to call a spade a spade.
