Vedanta Aluminium marks Menstrual Hygiene Day 2025 with a week-long awareness program

THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, MAY 30, 2025

On Menstrual Hygiene Day, celebrated globally on May 28, Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest producer of aluminium, took a significant step towards empowering women and improving public health. The company launched a week-long initiative across its Odisha operations, reaffirming its commitment to women’s health and menstrual hygiene awareness.

Menstrual Hygiene Day aims to break the silence and stigma surrounding menstruation, advocating for equitable access to safe and affordable menstrual care. This year, Vedanta Aluminium’s program focused on empowering adolescent girls and women by providing them with accurate information, resources, and support to manage their menstrual and reproductive health with dignity.

The initiative reached over 350 women and adolescent girls, starting with the launch of the Red Dot Campaign in Lanjigarh, where Vedanta’s alumina refinery is located. The campaign encouraged open dialogues and sought to challenge the taboos traditionally associated with menstruation. Dr. Nareen Ali, a medical expert, led awareness sessions that addressed menstrual health and hygiene practices, offering scientific insights and practical guidance.

A highlight of the week-long program was an extensive workshop conducted for more than 100 women and girls, covering topics related to sexual and reproductive health. The aim was to equip participants with the knowledge necessary to make informed and safe decisions about their health. In addition, Vedanta Aluminium continued its regular distribution of sanitary kits, which include sanitary pads, to promote consistent hygiene practices and provide essential products for daily use.

In parallel, Vedanta’s coal operations in Jharsuguda and Sundargarh districts, including Jamkhani, Kuraloi, and Ghogharpalli, launched an outreach initiative targeting local schools. The program included the distribution of heat bags and ‘Menstrupedia’ educational booklets. These booklets are designed to educate both girls and boys about puberty and physical changes in a friendly and inclusive manner, aiming to build awareness and foster a gender-sensitive understanding of menstrual health from an early age.

Commenting on the initiative, Sunil Gupta, Chief Operating Officer, Vedanta Aluminium & Chief Executive Officer, Vedanta Jharsuguda, said, “Ensuring menstrual health and hygiene is not just a corporate responsibility, but a societal imperative. Through continued efforts like these, we aim to empower women and adolescents, helping them manage their health with dignity while breaking the silence and stigma around menstruation.”

Vedanta Aluminium’s commitment to community development is closely tied to its belief that good health and awareness are key drivers of women’s empowerment. The company’s ongoing health and hygiene programs align with its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) vision and contribute to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health & Well-being) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality).

As India’s largest aluminium producer, Vedanta Aluminium is committed to sustainable community development. In addition to its focus on health and hygiene, the company actively promotes education, healthcare, sustainable livelihoods, infrastructure, and grassroots sports and culture. By working with local authorities and community stakeholders, Vedanta ensures that its initiatives lead to meaningful socio-economic progress in Odisha.

Vedanta Aluminium, a business unit of Vedanta Limited, produced 2.42 million tonnes of aluminium in FY2025, contributing more than half of India’s aluminium output. The company is a leader in value-added aluminium products used in critical industries and is ranked 2nd in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2024 for the aluminium industry, reflecting its commitment to sustainable development. With its world-class facilities, Vedanta Aluminium continues to drive forward the vision of aluminium as the “Metal of the Future” for a greener tomorrow.