In rural India, menstruation remains a topic shrouded in stigma, leading to inadequate hygiene practices and limited access to affordable sanitary products. Addressing this pressing issue, Unipads, a social enterprise founded by Geeta Solanki, is revolutionizing menstrual health by introducing reusable cloth pads and empowering women through education and employment opportunities.
Key Highlights:
- Genesis of Unipads: Geeta Solanki’s personal experience with the discomfort of plastic sanitary pads led her to explore cloth alternatives. Recognizing the potential of reusable cloth pads, she established Unipads to provide a sustainable and comfortable solution for women, especially in rural areas.
- Affordable and Sustainable Products: Unipads offers reusable cloth pads that are cost-effective and environmentally friendly. These pads can last up to five years, significantly reducing the financial burden on women who previously relied on expensive disposable products.
- Empowering Women Through Employment: Beyond providing sanitary products, Unipads has created employment opportunities for over 380 underprivileged women. These women are trained to manufacture and distribute the pads, transforming them into entrepreneurs and changing societal perceptions of women’s roles in rural communities.
- Kalyani Program: Unipads’ ‘Kalyani’ initiative trains village-level women to become educators and distributors of menstrual hygiene products. These women play a crucial role in breaking taboos and spreading awareness about menstrual health in their communities.
- Widespread Impact: Since its inception, Unipads has reached over 800,000 women across India and internationally, promoting menstrual hygiene and empowering women through education and economic independence.
Unipads’ holistic approach addresses both the practical and societal challenges of menstrual health in rural India. By combining sustainable products with community engagement and women’s empowerment, Unipads is fostering a future where menstruation is managed with dignity and without stigma.
