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Periods, a completely natural occurrence can often act as a barrier for most women. Due to the existence of taboos and lack of education, many women in India are still struggling for basic facilities. A mere 36% women in India are able to afford a sanitary napkin. The rest usually rely on the age-old methods of using cloth or rags, which in addition to being inconvenient can also cause health problems.
Period poverty affects the world disproportionately, and the gap is only widening right now. COVID-19 pandemic resulted in confusion, income disparity, and the marginalized communities ended up being the worst-hit. The front line warriors, waste pickers, belong to one of the communities that have been affected due to this pandemic. Regrettably, even before the pandemic hit, women waste pickers struggled to ensure themselves a safe period and that their reproductive health is not compromised because of their inability to access sanitary products owing to the high cost.
In collaboration with SWaCH and KKPKP, we plan on reaching out to the waste pickers in Pune, Maharashtra (India) under Project SAKSHAM (Safe Knowledge on Sexual Health And Menstruation). We aim to provide a long term solution to the problem of costly and environment degrading normal pads, whilst educating the women through interactive sessions around the female reproductive system, periods, and the sustainable alternatives available.
Additionally we plan on utilising the funds, to provide these women with a sustainable alternative (both environmentally and financially) to manage their menstrual hygiene.
Cost of 1 cloth pad kit (4 cloth pads)/ 1 Menstrual cup = INR 500
We plan to reach out to at least 200 women in the next 3 months.
Cost of reaching out to 200: INR 500*200 = INR 1,00,000
We have partnered with Eco Femme, who are the pioneers in the field of sustainable menstruation for the provisions of cloth pads.
We plan to offer the products at a subsidized cost of INR 50, only to encourage their buy-in of the product. A cloth pad can last for 3-5 years whereas a cup which will last for at least 8-10 years. Thereby cutting the costs for waste pickers by at least 80%, since most claim to spend anywhere between Rupees 80-100 per month.
Period poverty affects the world disproportionately, and the gap is only widening right now. COVID-19 pandemic resulted in confusion, income disparity, and the marginalized communities ended up being the worst-hit. The front line warriors, waste pickers, belong to one of the communities that have been affected due to this pandemic. Regrettably, even before the pandemic hit, women waste pickers struggled to ensure themselves a safe period and that their reproductive health is not compromised because of their inability to access sanitary products owing to the high cost.
In collaboration with SWaCH and KKPKP, we plan on reaching out to the waste pickers in Pune, Maharashtra (India) under Project SAKSHAM (Safe Knowledge on Sexual Health And Menstruation). We aim to provide a long term solution to the problem of costly and environment degrading normal pads, whilst educating the women through interactive sessions around the female reproductive system, periods, and the sustainable alternatives available.
Additionally we plan on utilising the funds, to provide these women with a sustainable alternative (both environmentally and financially) to manage their menstrual hygiene.
Cost of 1 cloth pad kit (4 cloth pads)/ 1 Menstrual cup = INR 500
We plan to reach out to at least 200 women in the next 3 months.
Cost of reaching out to 200: INR 500*200 = INR 1,00,000
We have partnered with Eco Femme, who are the pioneers in the field of sustainable menstruation for the provisions of cloth pads.
We plan to offer the products at a subsidized cost of INR 50, only to encourage their buy-in of the product. A cloth pad can last for 3-5 years whereas a cup which will last for at least 8-10 years. Thereby cutting the costs for waste pickers by at least 80%, since most claim to spend anywhere between Rupees 80-100 per month.
