Provide Period Products across rural India

Introduction

In rural India, menstruation-related challenges significantly affect women's and girls' health, access to education, meaningful employment, and overall physical and mental well-being. Period poverty (the lack of access to safe and hygienic period products, related facilities such as clean water and soap, and accurate menstrual health education) is rampant in rural areas of India, with over 36% of women and girls lacking access to safe and hygienic period products. In some states, such as Uttar Pradesh, the prevalence of period poverty was as high as 71%.

The Desai Foundation's Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) program works to address not just the lack of access to safe and hygienic period products, but also the stigma and taboo around menstruation, so that a woman or girl's period never stands between her and an education or meaningful employment, and every rural woman and girl can dream beyond her circumstances.

Program Overview

At the heart of the initiative is the Asani Sanitary Napkin Program, which focuses on:

• Production of high-quality, low-cost biodegradable sanitary napkins: locally made, eco-friendly pads give women and girls access to a safe and hygienic period product, compared to commonly used alternatives such as unwashed cloth, dirt, and sand.
• MHM awareness and educational sessions: menstrual health education sessions and workshops engage communities, including men and boys, to normalize conversations around menstruation, address misinformation and stigma, and help women and girls make informed decisions about their bodies.
• Job creation for women: women are trained as sanitary napkin manufacturers and distributors (called Sanginis), earning a livelihood while contributing to community health and breaking the cycle of stigma.

Program Impact

Beyond providing immediate support, the program delivers far-reaching, long-term benefits:

• Keeping girls in school: access to safe and hygienic pads and better awareness helps more girls pursue an education without interruption, countering school absenteeism.
• Healthier families: awareness campaigns encourage good hygiene practices that ripple out to benefit entire households.
• Promoting gender equity: engaging men and boys in these conversations creates more inclusive and supportive communities.
• Economic independence for women: women involved in production and distribution gain financial stability and serve as role models for others.

Impact Numbers

1. Production and Accessibility

• Over 15,00,000 sanitary napkins were produced to meet the needs of rural women and girls.
• 1.1 million pads distributed for free, ensuring that even the most vulnerable individuals have access to safe menstrual products.
• 3.3 million+ women and girls reached through MHM programming.

2. Awareness and Education

• 31,000+ individuals were educated through menstrual health awareness camps, including over 1,000 men.
• 1,813+ local schools with regular MHM programming.
• 55,000+ MHM seminars conducted.

3. Economic Impact

• 17,500+ women trained in sanitary napkin production.

Conclusion

The Desai Foundation's Menstrual Hygiene Management program is more than an initiative, it is a locally led movement transforming lives and shaping futures. By addressing both practical needs and societal barriers related to menstrual health, the program empowers women and girls to live healthier lives and make informed decisions about their bodies. Uplifting women and girls creates a ripple effect, fostering stronger, more gender-equitable communities.

Links:

• Asani Sanitary Napkin Program
• Menstrual Equity Programs