Grassroots Comics as a Tool for Social and Behavioural Change Communication: Exploring Visual Media for Storytelling Around Menstrual Health

Abstract

Menstrual health and hygiene depict a deep-rooted social issue in India, alleviated by cultural taboos, misinformation, and inadequate access to sustainable solution related to menstruation. These agents negatively affect the welfare of women and adolescents while accelerating health and socio-cultural interest related to menstrual health management. In many regions, menstruation remains as a sensitive topic, restricting open communication and access to factual information. This barrier in communication nurtures stigma and commemorate gender-based inequalities. Community media platforms have emerged as a transformative tool towards addressing the challenges associated with menstrual health and hygiene using social and behavioural change communication (SBCC) to promote knowledge, overcome stigmas, and publicize the adoption of sustainable menstrual health practices. Visual storytelling, have demonstrated a powerful ability to enagage diverse audience while transmitting sensitive topics in more attainable manner. This research study titled “Grassroots Comics as a Tool for Social and Behavioural Change Communication: Exploring Visual Media for Storytelling Around Menstrual Health”, explores how grassroots comic book accelerate sustainability and framing positive menstrual health behaviours and can be utilized as a SBCC tool for women and young adolescents. This research study examines the widely renowned comic book on menstrual health and hygiene, Menstrupedia, to examine the role of storytelling in grassroots comic books for storytelling and enhancing behaviour change. This research study utilizes content analysis to investigate how visual storytelling can serve as a substantial communicative tool for circulating behavioural and ecological awareness related to menstrual health and hygiene practices.