Gender Equality India Project #9829

Women Manufacturing Biodegradable Sanitary Pads

by Village Volunteers

Project Report | Mar 14, 2016
A project that is being duplicated!

By Shana Greene | Executive Director, Village Volunteers

Dear Donor,

We are happy to report that plans are underway to add another micro enterprise manufacturing site making sanitary pads in Kenya. We wanted to set up in Kenya because of water hyacinth taking over Lake Victoria a source of fresh water for millions and the importance of providing disposable and biodegradable menstrual hygiene options.

We decided to set up with New Light in India as our first pilot project to be close to our machinery partner to ensure the program's sustainability. The alternative menstrual hygiene options offered to rural women are washable pads or expensive commercial pads made from petrochemicals. The washable pads hold bacteria and can cause urinary track and fungal infections. Commercial pads are hard to dispose and are an environmental and public health threat in areas without adequate disposal options.

We will be setting up a new plant in Mbita on the shores of Kenya in partnership with Med25. Our plan, like our other plant is to set up a system that employs 20 women who get health insurance and a good income and makes 3,000 pads a day. The profit of the sale of the pads that you purchase will go to educate girls and support gaining an income. The pads will be available to vulnerable girls and women health workers will be selling to women privately while providing public health information.

Thank you for your support of this important and groundbreaking option for women and girls.

Shana Greene

Links:

http://www.empoweringwomenperiod.org/

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Dec 16, 2015
The Benefits are Endless!

By Shana Greene | Executive Director

Children, the recipients.

Dear Supporter,

This women's intiative is a shining star and the benefits are endless! The pad company is run by women who had been "owned" and forced into an untold nightmarish life with their children. The micro-enterprise of making pads is at New Light India, run by a recognized and renowned champion of human rights for women and children who helps guide the women who work at the pad company with great compassion.

We've had many setbacks in the last couple of months but the support has lifted everyone. With the ability to make 2,400 pads a day, our goal is to be able to support their sales which is why your donation is so important.

The big setback last month was that the place that was rented for the pad company decided they did not work with anyone associated with past sex workers and so we had to move. The women moved to a wonderful location below the shelter and it was painted and cleaned to be able resume their operations for the 18th of December. The production will begin immediately and we are working on being able to buy pads for girls in need. Our goals are to get many monthly subscriptions so that we can depend on supporting the most vulnerable girls.

When you subscribe and sponsor pads for girls, you support women, children and provide those without a future, a way to become self sufficient and free from abuse. The pads you buy for a vulnerable girl, will enable her to attend school and be more confident.

These pads are made from an aquatic weed that is a relentless pest destructive to the worldwide fresh water eco-systems it invades. Water hyacinth has been called the world's worst tropical aquatic weed and now it can be harvested for good

Your donation is truly a multiplier of support to women, children and the environment. The women call their pad company "Mukti" which means freedom in Bengali. They inspire us every day.

Thank you for your continued support.

Shana Greene

Executive Director, Village Volunteers/Empowering Women Period.

Mothers Day at New Light

Urmi meeting with women

Links:

Village Volunteers' Initiative, Empowering Women Period

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Sep 16, 2015
A More Efficient System!

By Shana Greene | Executive Director, Village Volunteers

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