88% of India's 355 million women do not have access to sanitary pads. Lack of awareness and affordability means that sand, ash, rags or dirty cloth are used instead of sanitary pads, leading to blistering, soreness, infections and long-term health issues. This problem can be solved with our health and hygiene awareness project, training young local women leaders to raise awareness about menstrual health and hygiene and generate income through selling low-cost sanitary pads locally.
Through our direct work with these women, a pressing need has been identified - 'basic personal hygiene' care needs. Women have cited problems and health issues relating to their monthly menstrual cycles leading to infections and cancers. Lack of awareness and affordability is the reason why women continue using unhygienic practices during menstruation. In majority of the cases the women have to choose between menstrual sanitation and food. This project aims to tackle both of these issues.
This project tackles problems of both awareness & affordability. Taking place in 35 slums of Ahmedabad, health awareness workshops will allow local women to learn about the importance of menstrual health & hygiene, including sanitary pads. Two youth leaders will be chosen from each slum and will take part in a training session on health issues and business skills. They will be given stock of low-cost sanitary pads to promote and sell to local women in their slums
2500 women or girls will better informed about healthcare and hygiene. 2500 women or girls will access to affordable sanitary towels. Improved health of women due to above. Improvement in school attendance for girls. Awareness of health and sanitation practices will be transferred to daughters and granddaughters and all generations for the future. Youth leaders will generate income from sales of sanitary pads and other hygiene related products.
This project has provided additional documentation in a Microsoft Word file (projdoc.doc).
