In India, sadly menstruation or periods, a normal physical process which is encircled by many taboos, myths and illogical practices. As a result of this, menstrual management, hygiene and such related practice go awry and affect reproductive and intimate health of our women.

Particularly in the rural areas, most women use cloth or even rags of old clothes during their menstruation days to manage their menstrual flow. There are few reasons behind this practice. Firstly, price is the barrier. A pack of 10 sanitary napkins would cost Rs 40 – 60, which is expensive by Indian standards especially for population belonging to lower socio-economic strata. Secondly, the taboos and myths around periods make women shy and reluctant to go out and buy sanitary napkins from medical shops, stores or PHCs etc. and another issue for them is “where will I dispose the used napkins?”. Poor menstrual hygiene is reported to be one of the reasons for the high prevalence of STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections) and RTIs (Reproductive Tract Infections) in the country.

This particular need of menstrual hygiene and hygienic life practices have been me and my team’s motivation at Sakhi Enterprise, a rural female operated enterprise manufacturing low cost hygienic sanitary napkins.

We applied the novel technique developed by an award winner from Tamil Nadu Mr. Muruganandam to manufacture sanitary napkin on small hand operated machines. This project is running successfully in different districts of Gujarat by Sakhi mandals. In this project, women from Sakhi mandals were given training to operate 4 different types of machines manually to manufacture sanitary napkin of international standard. These groups of ladies, working at Sakhi, were earlier involved only in their house hold work. Sakhi has not only given them a livelihood and an opportunity to earn money but also they see themselves as a part of a mission towards educating women about menstruation and changing the wrongly prevalent practices during periods. In fact, females working at Sakhi have played a pivotal role have in giving it an appropriate brand name to the sanitary napkin manufactured by them as “SAKHI” – which means “a friend”, a friend who helps them and is with them during their periods. We are sure in no time the brand “SAKHI” will be a house hold product in Gujarat and maybe someday in different parts of India as well.

An integral objective of Sakhi also includes educating women that why they should use sanitary napkins during periods, how would they help them? How will it benefit them, their health?

 Sanitary napkins are designed to absorb and retain menstrual fluid discharges. They are applied inside an undergarment with a press on adhesive fixing strip. Main functions of sanitary napkins are to absorb and retain menstrual fluid, stop leakages, prevent odour, stay in place, and provide a feel of comfort. Key criteria for selection are hygiene, performance, comfort, convenience and price.

 USPs of Sakhi:

• Most affordable brand available in the market among the Branded Sanitary Napkins.
• Provides ‘Menstrual Hygiene and Protection’ from rashes and infections.
• Holds certificate of quality from The Textile Committee, Govt. Of India.
• The napkins manufactured by Sakhi are sterilized using Ultraviolet light, they are biodegradable and contain no harmful chemicals.
• Women of rural Gujarat are becoming self sufficient and partners in giving women healthy environment.

At Sakhi, we have also developed an environment friendly product for the disposal of used sanitary napkins is called “Ashudhinashak “. This environment friendly incinerator works without electricity, disposes the sanitary napkins leaving women without any scare of embarrassment of “how and where they will dispose napkins”.

“Healthy woman means healthy family.”

On 10th November 2014, Monday, OoWomaniya.com in association with Sakhi & Menstrupedia will be conducting a workshop on Menstrual Hygiene and The Hygiene Bucket Challenge  between 4.30 pm to 6 pm at Venture Studio, besides Hanuman temple, Dada Saheb na pagla lane, opposite Café Crust, Commerce Six Roads, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad – 380009.

Event link: https://www.facebook.com/events/1501697576770990/

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