Balalakshmi encountered an ongoing struggle with persistent vaginal irritations and infections. Despite her discomfort, she hesitated to seek medical guidance due to the taboo surrounding such issues. After enduring prolonged discomfort, she finally sought professional advice and was astounded to learn that her condition stemmed from the frequent use of overly synthetic sanitary products readily available in stores.
This moment changed Balalakshmi’s life making her think about the many women who might be suffering in silence like she did. As a daughter and mother, she wanted to find a solution. She began researching and came up with the idea of making cotton sanitary napkins as a safer alternative to the synthetic ones available in the market.
Importance of menstrual hygiene
It’s striking that in a country where motherhood is revered women’s reproductive health remains highly neglected. The stigma surrounding discussions about menstrual health and hygiene persists even today leading to a severe lack of awareness on the topic. This ignorance endangers the lives of countless women who are left without the knowledge and resources to manage their health effectively.
Menstrual hygiene is an essential aspect of women’s health and well-being impacting not only physical comfort but also mental and social aspects of their lives. Proper menstrual hygiene management ensures women can navigate their menstrual cycles with dignity, confidence and without compromising their daily activities. Access to clean water, sanitary products and education on menstrual health are fundamental rights that empower women to maintain hygiene, prevent infections and manage their periods safely. Moreover, addressing menstrual hygiene contributes to breaking taboos and stigmas surrounding menstruation, promoting gender equality and fostering a supportive environment where women can openly discuss their reproductive health needs. By prioritising menstrual hygiene, the rights and dignity of women are uphold ensuring their overall health and well-being.
Taking action: Balalakshmi’s initiative
Balalakshmi was determined to make a difference and gain recognition, but she wasn’t sure how to start. Her own experience with infections caused by synthetic napkins motivated her to take action. The support and assistance she received from the NGO Bharatiya Yuva Shakti Trust (BYST) as her mentor were crucial in securing a Rs 2 lakh loan from a bank, which enabled her to start her entrepreneurial journey. She started making and selling cotton sanitary napkins after thorough research. Together with her husband, she travelled across Tamil Nadu, meeting experts who made cotton napkins. They learned the process and found a supplier of pure cotton in Paramathivellore, thanks to a friend. She also bought a UV steriliser machine to ensure the napkins were properly sterilised.
Balalakshmi’s business is all about being green and sustainable. She makes sanitary napkins from natural cotton, which is safe for the skin and needs to be changed every four to five hours. These cotton napkins are easy to use and help prevent the allergies and infections that synthetic ones can cause.
“Today, as the owner of M/s S.B Organics, a manufacturer and seller of cotton sanitary napkins, my journey into entrepreneurship began with a difficult experience that I transformed into an opportunity through my humanitarian spirit. My sanitary napkins are biodegradable and free of all toxic products. On Menstrual Hygiene Day, let’s champion the use of cotton, chemical-free sanitary pads— empowering women with safer, healthier, and more sustainable choices for their well-being,” said Balalakshmi.
Aruna Daara’s contributions
Aruna Daara, the founder and CEO of Apna Green Products and Antarvedi Foundation, leads the way in sustainable feminine hygiene solutions. Daara is also a mentor associated with BYST.
“Apna Green Products distinguishes itself from established brands like Whisper and Stayfree through a unique blend of sustainability, social impact, and consumer-centric innovation. Unlike conventional brands, our APNA Pads are crafted from biodegradable materials such as banana and rose petals. This eco-friendly approach appeals to environmentally conscious consumers seeking sustainable alternatives to traditional products. Our pads offer natural, hypoallergenic properties, reducing the risk of irritation and allergies. The inclusion of rose petals adds a gentle aroma, enhancing the overall user experience,” said Daara.
“Our emphasis on natural ingredients, biodegradability, and social responsibility differentiates us in a market dominated by conventional brands, attracting a niche but growing segment of eco-conscious and socially responsible consumers,” she said.
“We are deeply committed to women’s empowerment and livelihoods. By providing training, employment, and education opportunities to women, we foster economic independence and community development, creating a loyal customer base that values our social mission,” said Daara.
Indian sanitary napkin market
In today’s world, even though talking about periods is still considered a bit awkward, things are getting better. More and more people in India are realising how important it is for women to have good hygiene during their periods. Especially in villages, many women didn’t have the right information or tools to manage their periods safely. But things are changing. People are starting to understand the importance of menstrual hygiene.
According to a report by Research and Markets, India Sanitary Pads Market 2023 released in November last year, the sanitary napkins market in India was valued at $685.89 million in 2023 and is anticipated to have a robust growth with a CAGR of 6.23 per cent through 2029.
A Mordor Intelligence study says that with a growing emphasis on women’s hygiene in the nation, a surge of local startups, NGOs and community initiatives has emerged. Their goal is to tackle the key challenges faced by the industry such as low awareness and affordability issues. Over the past few years, numerous startups dedicated to menstrual health have sprung up leveraging technology to connect with over 300 million women lacking access to menstrual hygiene products and information. These startups are striving to provide cost-effective sanitary napkins to women in rural regions who may otherwise struggle to afford them.
According to data from the Economic Survey of India between 2016-17 and 2020-21 the proportion of startups and Indian patent applications increased by more than five times in the sector.
The Indian feminine hygiene market is becoming very competitive as big companies fight to get a bigger piece of the market. Major brands like Procter & Gamble, Kimberly-Clark, Unicharm, Johnson & Johnson and Essity AB are now leading the market in India. A Mordor Intelligence study found that the removal of GST on sanitary pads and imported feminine hygiene products is significantly helping the market grow. Importers now only need to pay a 10 per cent basic customs duty. Previously, they had to pay both a 10 per cent customs duty and a 12 per cent GST making the total tax 22 per cent. This change reduces costs and encourages more imports of these products.
However, despite the expansion of the market and lowering of GST there still persists a problem of affordability.
Sanitary pads come in a wide range of prices and the best brands are often too expensive for people with low incomes. According to a study by Research and Markets, the high cost includes manufacturing, distribution and marketing expenses. Since women need sanitary pads every month, this becomes a regular financial burden. For poor families, spending a large part of their income on menstrual hygiene is hard. Although the government has programmes to make sanitary pads cheaper, these programmes don’t always work well due to issues like poor implementation and lack of availability in remote areas.
This is where individuals like Balalakshmi and Aruna come in with their entrepreneurial enterprises which is also important socially.
Awareness and education campaigns
Government and NGOs have been crucial in breaking the silence and debunking myths about menstruation. Their campaigns aim to teach women and girls the importance of menstrual hygiene and the use of sanitary products like pads. These initiatives also stress how essential menstrual hygiene is for physical health encouraging women to talk openly about period-related issues.
The rise of digital media and the internet has boosted these awareness efforts. Young people now have better access to information, which helps them challenge old beliefs and seek better menstrual hygiene. This increased awareness has led to more women, especially in cities and towns, using sanitary pads as they have more access to information.
The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan has included menstrual hygiene in its focus on cleanliness and sanitation. The campaign aims to build toilets and improve sanitation in rural areas. Clean, private toilets are important for menstrual hygiene and the programme supports the use of sanitary pads by providing places for their proper disposal. By promoting menstrual hygiene, these initiatives have created a more open environment for discussing women’s health.
In 2022, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched a programme to help girls aged 10-19 in rural areas with menstrual hygiene. They placed sanitary pad vending machines in schools and colleges making it easier for women students to get pads when they need them.
New products are fine, but nothing can replace hygiene
Menstrual hygiene can no longer be sacrificed to stigma. Good menstrual hygiene practices are essential for dignity, well-being, reducing stigma and empowering women and girls. While some talk openly about tampons, others remain silent due to taboos creating significant inequality among menstruating women in India.
“Things like tampons and menstrual cups are used by a few women in cities but they aren’t popular yet among the tier 2 and tier 3 population. Broadly, Indian women are a little hesitant in using these. In fact, women in rural areas are still using clothes because they feel sanitary napkins are expensive. I spoke to a couple of women in Chalera village during menstrual hygiene month in my college. They were okay with infections that occur because of using the same cloth every month but they didn’t want to switch to using sanitary napkins. They said, ‘Ghar kaise chalega madam, agar fizool kharcha karenge?’ (How will the household run Madam if we spend on needless things?) The situation is really bad in the rural parts of the country,” said 25-year-old Rukmani Ahlawat who is associated with a non-profit that works towards raising awareness about menstrual hygiene among women in rural India.
Respect for India’s ‘Nari Shakti’ is hollow if we celebrate their triumphs in breaking glass ceilings while staying silent on menstruation and hiding sanitary napkins in shame. It’s time to shatter menstrual taboos. Let’s end the silence. NOW.
Link to article –
Menstrual Hygiene Day: India! Whisper no more, stay free from period taboos
