Thane: Maasika Mahotsav, a week-long festival that aims to destigmatise periods through sports, arts and cultural Programmes, will be celebrated from May 21 in 11 countries, this year. Other than India, it will also be celebrated in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Pakistan, Nepal, Colombia, Guatemala, Kenya, Sri Lanka, El Salvador and Mexico. As many as 33 organisations will also be involved in celebrating the 8th edition of the festival through programmes in many states and union territories in the country, some of which are Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Puducherry, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, West Bengal, Uttarakhand and Tamil Nadu. 

Aim of the fest
The festival aims to challenge menstrual taboos, eradicate period poverty and spark meaningful conversations about periods around the globe, Thane-based NGO Muse Foundation stated in a release. Listing the highlights this year, Muse Foundation founder Nishant Bangera said the festival will be celebrated for the first time in Puducherry, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab and will be observed for the second time in Pakistan. Muse Foundation started working on the issue of menstrual hygiene in 2014 and launched the festival in 2017. 
(With PTI inputs)

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