
SUPPORTED BY: BEKAERT MUKAND WIRE INDUSTRIES PVT. LTD.
AREAS OF OPERATION: NANDURBAR BLOCK, NANDURBAR DISTRICT, MAHARASHTRA
Overview:
The project was initiated with a series of awareness campaigns across ten schools, targeting schoolgirls and female teachers. These sessions focused on the importance of menstrual health management, the use of clean menstrual products, and the harmful effects of poor hygiene practices. Approximately 2,337 beneficiaries gained essential knowledge and skills to manage their menstrual health. Additionally, training on operating and monitoring vending machines and disposal mechanisms was provided.
Achievement:
The MHM program aims to improve menstrual health and hygiene in rural Maharashtra by raising awareness, providing access to affordable menstrual products, enhancing sanitation infrastructure, reducing stigma, and empowering women and girls to manage their menstrual health with confidence.
Supporting SDGs:
This innovative project supports several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to health, education, gender equality, and sustainable cities. By providing sustainable menstrual hygiene management solutions, the project contributes to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).
In terms of waste management, PadCare’s recycling system has collected and recycled a substantial amount of menstrual waste. For example, in the first month, 6.51 kg of waste was collected from the 10 schools, conserving 13.93 kg of CO2 equivalent and saving 130.2 liters of landfill space. In the coming year, the project aims to significantly expand its impact by further reducing waste, promoting the use of eco-friendly menstrual products, and continuing to educate and empower girls and women.
Achievements of MHM:
- Distributed 13,000 sanitary pads to ensure access to affordable menstrual products.
- Conducted 10 training sessions for 900 adolescent girls on menstrual health sensitization and proper disposal.
- Installed 13 PadCare vending machines and 40 PadCare Bins to recycling of used sanitary pads.