When I was in 6th grade, my mother talked to me about periods and their significance. However, she didn’t mention the stigma that often surrounds them. So, one evening, when we had guests over for dinner and were watching TV, a commercial about periods came on. Excitedly, I called out to my mom, asking if this was what she had been explaining to me the other day. She looked at me in shock, raised her eyebrows, and gave a small shake of her head, signalling “No”. In that moment, I understood.

That incident has stayed with me ever since, and it continues to trouble me. Why is it that we can openly discuss bodily functions like excretion and urination, but not menstruation? It’s such a beautiful and natural process that should be celebrated and respected, not shrouded in shame or secrecy. It baffles me that on one hand, we consider menstruation a blessing, a symbol of fertility and life, yet on the other hand, we fail to treat it with the respect and dignity it deserves.That question marked the birth of Herzu, named after ‘Her Life’ in the Kashmiri language. Herzu stands as a testament to my journey from tech to social entrepreneurship and my unwavering commitment to uplifting the lives of women across the globe.