Summary:
The Asani Sanitary Napkin Program is a flagship initiative 'For the women, By the Women' of the Desai Foundation. It empowers women to take charge of their menstrual health and livelihoods by training them to produce and distribute eco-friendly, biodegradable sanitary napkins in their communities. This program not only addresses critical health and hygiene needs but also creates income-generating opportunities, enabling women to play an active role in improving their lives and those of their peers.
The Challenge:
In rural India, many women and girls struggle with a lack of menstrual hygiene education and products. Menstruation is often seen as a taboo, and without access to sanitary pads, many use rags or other makeshift materials, which can cause infections. This not only affects their health but also their education, as many girls stop going to school when they start menstruating. The stigma around periods, combined with the lack of proper resources, limits access to healthcare and creates barriers to opportunities for women and girls.
The Solution:
Our approach is holistic, starting from production to distribution of sanitary napkins and awareness campaign on menstrual hygiene management (MHM). We involve the entire community including men to foster understanding and support for menstrual hygiene.
The Asani Sanitary Napkin Program trains women to produce and distribute affordable, high-quality sanitary napkins within their communities. This empowers girls and women to take control of their health and livelihoods. By ensuring that girls can continue their education without the interruption of menstruation, we also create opportunities for women to earn income and gain economic independence. Our solution addresses all aspects of this challenge: breaking the stigma, providing education, and improving access to menstrual hygiene products.
Lasting Impact:
Our sanitary napkin brand, Asani, which means “with ease,” is all about making something natural easier to manage. Through our program, we’ve impacted over 2.2 million women by providing free pads and training on menstrual hygiene. Our approach not only improves their health but also empowers women to take charge of their lives.
Women in the program can take on roles that suit them, whether it’s making pads, creating awareness, or distributing them. This flexibility helps them feel more connected to the cause and proud of their work.
Looking ahead, we plan to reach even more people by increasing pad production, expanding our education programs, and strengthening community support. We aim to break the stigma around menstruation, helping girls stay in school, women join the workforce, and both create a brighter future for themselves.
