THE PROBLEM :

Millions of tribal girls and women from low-income homes in the rural areas of Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh do not have access to sanitary pads. This is driven by a “lack of financial resources” and a “lack of awareness of proper menstrual hygiene practices”. The cost of buying sanitary pads every month is too expensive, even if they are aware of the need for the same. 

THE INITIATIVE:

Setting up a pad manufacturing unit in Bhopal.

Other concerned students and I, are committed to ensuring that every girl and woman has access to sanitary pads. Setting up a pad manufacturing unit in Bhanpur and Samasgarh, a tribal area in Bhopal will give them the much-needed relief. This will impact their health and well-being. 

This project is called SPAD (Sustainable Pad Awareness and Distribution) and aims to empower tribal communities by establishing a cottage industry in Bhanpur and Samasgarh for manufacturing sustainable and affordable pads. The pads are made by women for women. This project will generate a lot of employment opportunities for tribal women in the area. 

This campaign is being done in partnership with Students For India, Abhedya Organization, and Aura Hygienics to drive a positive change for menstrual health and sustainable development.

The above picture shows the basic setup and the women involved in the pad manufacturing unit in Bhopal.

THE PROCESS:

The above picture shows the dedicated students from Students for India who are actively engaging with tribal women, raising awareness about crucial menstrual health. Through informative sessions and discussions, they empower these women with knowledge and resources for better menstrual hygiene practices. This grassroots effort fosters a positive impact on the well-being and empowerment of tribal communities, promoting a healthier and more informed society. 

Access to affordable sanitary pads is crucial for promoting good health and well-being for all. Providing adequate menstrual hygiene solutions can help boost the health and well-being of girls and women. This can help them contribute to their family income, leading to poverty alleviation.

The above picture shows the sealing and impression machine used in the pad manufacturing unit.

The above picture shows the basic machines needed for a pad manufacturing unit and with a team of 5-6 dedicated women from the tribal community working efficiently for 7 hours per day, the unit can produce approximately 55,125 packets of pads, each containing 8 pieces, over a span of 25 working days. These women receive their daily wage of INR 250 per day by working at the unit. This impacts their well-being as well.

The above pictures show the soft and comfortable sanitary pad produced.

Each sanitary packet consists of 8 pads and it is costing just INR 22 per packet.

COST BREAK-UP:

ABOUT ME:

My name is Aahana Garg. I am 17 years old and in Grade 12 at Step By Step School.

I am the Co-Founder of SPAD (Sustainable Pad Awareness and Distribution).  Our aim is to establish a sanitary napkin manufacturing unit in a tribal village in Kekadiya, Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) that will impact the lives of thousands of tribal women. This campaign of mine aims to impact the lives of tribal girls and women who come from the economically weaker classes of society. 

It is devastating to know that there are so many girls and women in Madhya Pradesh who cannot have access to something as basic as sanitary pads. I am now very passionate about helping them, especially those who are less privileged. Helping and benefitting others makes me truly happy. It is a joy to make a difference in another's life, to see them smile.

For women and girls in homes that we come from, sanitary pads are normal and not a luxury. For girls and women from poor homes, it is a luxury. To manage their menstrual needs they unfortunately are forced to resort to practices that are unhygienic and lead to health issues. The solution is to give them a menstrual hygiene kit that is sustainable and cost-effective. It impacts their health, education, and livelihood and gives them immense confidence.

Establishing one pad manufacturing unit will cost INR 4,18,000, this not only helps in menstrual health, it also helps in the livelihood of tribal women. Producing these sustainable pads for a month costs INR 1,33,550 for 55,125 sanitary pad pockets. Each packet cost just INR 22.

I sincerely request you support me in this endeavor so that we can support these tribal women and girls in their menstrual hygiene as well their livelihood. Together, we can bring hope, joy, and a chance for a healthier tomorrow to these tribal women and girls.

MAP:

ABOUT STUDENTS FOR INDIA:

Students for India, formerly known as MasksforIndia, is an inspiring student-led non-profit organization that has provided aid to more than 50,000 families throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Their commendable efforts include procuring and distributing essential supplies such as masks, sanitary pads, and meals. With a growing team of over 500 students hailing from various regions across India, from the Northeast to Delhi and Chennai in the South, their impact extends far and wide, uniting the nation in the face of adversity.