The Asani Sanitary Napkin Program trains women in rural India to manufacture and distribute sanitary products. Due to the inaccessibility of sanitary napkins and health facilities in many rural communities, there remains a lack of information regarding menstrual hygiene-in fact, 71% of girls do not know what periods are before they experience them for the first time, and many are obliged to manage their periods with an unsanitary rag instead of with pads.
Not only does this program empower women through an opportunity for employment, but the increased access to menstrual products also provides them with the means to pursue higher education and livelihood prospects while menstruating, as 23% of girls would otherwise drop out of school after starting their periods. Moreover, the Desai Foundation ensures that girls are given the necessary information and resources to manage their periods through regular educational programming such as health and hygiene classes, focused group discussions, and community awareness programs.
The vocational training provided through the Sanitary Napkin Program has a profound personal and public impact. The Sanitary Napkin Program also has the added effect of combatting stigma and giving women and girls a fundamental sense of self-worth and self-esteem that will empower them to pursue long-term opportunities.
We are currently expanding our Sanitary Napkin Program with other partners. It is one of our most all-encompassing programs and we are very excited to expand it, making waves in social and health reform in the greater region.
Learn more at www.asaninapkins.org