Government data shows clear gaps in basic health and safety education for children. According to NFHS-5, only about 59 percent of adolescent girls receive menstrual hygiene education in school.
A Ministry of Women and Child Development study found that approximately 53 percent of children were unable to identify unsafe touch.
School health audits also show that many government schools run fewer than two awareness sessions a year on topics such as personal safety, puberty and reproductive health. These gaps increase dropout risk, lower reporting of abuse and keep health literacy low in both rural and urban classrooms.
Aan Charitable Trust works in this exact space. In this story, we examine their model and the work they do to address these gaps.
| NGO | Aan Charitable Trust |
| Founded | 2016 |
| Founders | Namita Dublish, Anushka Gupta |
| Sector | Women & Communities |
| Headquarters | Kashipur, Uttarakhand |
| Core Problem Addressed | Low awareness of menstrual hygiene, child safety and adolescent health in government schools. |
| Primary Solution | School-based sessions on menstrual hygiene, child safety and SRHR delivered through structured modules. |
| Business Model | Runs awareness programs with schools, district authorities and partner NGOs. |
| Verified Highlights | • Worked with FICCI FLO and Samagra Shiksha Uttarakhand • Contributed to NITI Aayog–Piramal “Surakshit Hum, Surakshit Tum” campaign • Conducted 11,000+ awareness sessions • Reached 12,000+ beneficiaries |
The Founders
Aan Charitable Trust was founded in 2016 by Namita Dublish and her daughter Anushka in Kashipur, Uttarakhand. They identified gaps in menstrual literacy, child safety knowledge and adolescent health communication in government schools. They began by conducting simple awareness sessions in schools and tracking attendance, response and basic outcomes.
The Turning Point
The trust’s scale increased when district authorities and established NGOs began collaborating with them. Between 2021 and 2024, Aan Charitable Trust worked with FICCI FLO Uttarakhand, Magic Bus India Foundation, Project Baala and Samagra Shiksha (state education program). These partnerships enabled access to multiple schools and repeat sessions instead of one-off events.
The Model
- Conduct menstrual hygiene sessions in government schools
- Run “good touch / bad touch” workshops for primary classes
- Deliver adolescent health sessions with verified content
- Provide sanitary kits during menstruation-focused drives
- Work with teachers and district officials to schedule programs
- Maintain printed records of beneficiaries and workshop data
- Run small scholarship and mentorship support for girls at risk of dropping out
The model depends on school access, trained volunteers and steady partnerships with education departments and NGOs.
The Challenge
Schools operate on tight schedules. Many administrators hesitate to introduce topics related to menstruation or body safety. The trust had to show clear session plans, documentation, and repeat feedback data to gain approval. And, cultural resistance was also a barrier.
The Impact
According to the organisation’s annual report:
- 12,000+ beneficiaries reached across all programs
- 6,500+ children trained in child-safety sessions
- 12,000+ sanitary napkins distributed in drives since 2017
- 11,000+ awareness sessions delivered (cumulative count)
- Programs conducted in Uttarakhand and NCR
- Supported national campaigns like NITI Aayog–Piramal Foundation’s “Surakshit Hum, Surakshit Tum”
- Conducted multi-school drives with FICCI FLO, Samagra Shiksha Uttarakhand, Magic Bus, Project Baala, and others
The Outcome
Aan Charitable Trust has become a known grassroots organisation in Uttarakhand with a clear operational footprint. It has been recognised at state level, including Uttarakhand’s Tilu Rauteli Award for contributions to women’s welfare. The trust continues to collaborate with district administrations for school-based awareness programs.
The Insight
Structured awareness delivered early and consistently improves knowledge of safety, hygiene and health in school-age children.
Leave a Reply