Sanitary Napkins Made by SHGs Final

Sanitary Napkins Made by SHGs

Dr. N.ManimekalaiProfessor and Director

Department of Women’s Studies, Bharathidasan University

Tiruchirappalli- 620 [email protected]

Evaluation of Different types of Rural sanitary napkins available in terms of availability, accessibility, Performance and easiness of disposal

Display of different samples of Sanitary Napkins [SN] made by SHG

Comparing quality with the standard products of MNC Makes available in the Market

Understanding the advantages and disadvantages of different SHG products

Different kinds of sanitary napkin disposal units [After use]

Given the poor quality of the products available for the poor how to develop this market from supply side [how to improve the products and how to encourage from demand side]

Menstrual Hygiene Management [MHM]

Menstruation from menarche to menopause- 2100 days between 12 -14 yrs [almost six years in women’s lives]

M often dealt with secrecy in many cultures and sanitary facilities meeting MHM requirements is inadequate.

Girls Disempowerment Reasons for poor MH- [i] culture of silence, Girls do not talk openly- Sanitary pads, use of toilets, other

cleanliness practices, leading to adverse health issue. [ii] Economic constraint- failure to afford hygiene napkins

and failure to change the pads frequently

Health Issues of Women Anemia is a major threat to growth of girls, school

performance, and School retention. As high as 99% of pregnant mothers and 56% of

adolescent girls are anemic in India Poor diet in vitamins and minerals [iron], and intestinal

worm infections. When grow up, higher risk of Maternal Mortality, poor

pregnancy outcomes, low birth weight babies Timely and regular intervention in supplementing the iron

requirements, deworming and timely access to factual information on the causes and prevention of anemia reduce the prevalence

NFHS 3 revealed- 60-70% of the parents expressed the need for their daughters to be informed about menarche, the process of growing up.

Research Findings UNICEF’s Study in Rajasthan 2006,- 15% absenteeism of girls

during or after Menstrual cycle due to cramping pains; Most girls get menarche during 11-15 age, 56% of the girls do not

get any information about M before the onset 75% did not have any idea about the kind of materials to be used to

absorb the flow 75%of the girls use cloth 27% did not use any material 82% reuse the cloth during and across cycles 41% dry it in sun, 27% take leave and stay at home and change

cloth 15% do not change the cloth at for the whole day Girl can miss up to 10-20% or 3-4 days per month, 9-12 term, 27-36

days per school year.[Cooke, 2005] Schools lack adequate toilets, water facilities, lack of privacy, all

cause discomfort for girls to change the pads Poor MH – fungal infections, repeated infections to RTI, vulnerable

to infertility [Singh, et al, 2001]

Key Issues to be addressed to eliminate monthly struggle of girls on MHM

Lack of adequate knowledge about MH at School and Home

Lack of emotional support from home Poor access to affordable and effective menstrual

materials Poor access to private and hygienic sanitation facilities at

school and home, compatible with menstrual materials. Need for creating awareness and identify the risk

associated with various methods of handling M Integrating MHM with TS, waste management with

innovations, helping affordability, accessibility, performing and disposable.

Incorporating MHM with TS

Toilets with urinals adapting and suiting to the requirements and needs of girls like privacy, hand washing facilities, ensuring water availability, if reusable materials to be used, bathing shelters, for washing and drying,safe disposal provisions, wrapping materials for pads, training and counseling to the teachers to teach the students, proper rules and monitoring systems, sensitization to the boys in co-ed schools to not to embrass the girls

Features of SHG made sanitary Napkins

Majority wood pulp based and some are cotton based Low cost, small quantity catering to limited region. Different type of pads ordinary, belt less, regular, delivery

or maternity pads, with different thickness, durability, and different thickness pads suiting heavy and light flow days

Absence of Professional packing, brand, hand made, and lack of standardization and certification [ for a few women]

Attractively packed SN, easy to dispose, sterilized pads are also produced by SHG women in Chennai, Kancheepuram,Dindigul, Tiruchy, Coimbatore, Dharmapuri, etc

Produced by women, for women, and sold by women thorugh SHGs.

Evaluation of different types of Rural SHG Women made Sanitary napkins

In terms of Availability:It is limited in villages it is producedTargeting to small regionsExpand wherever there is order and marketLimited information about the SHG makesHand made or mini machine made keeping local in mindStill it is reaching the women and girls in remote areas who

have never been to sanitary napkin usage habitsDoor to door canvass and selling by SHG women as a

group of four to five women only do marketing and others production

Affordability

Comparable with MNC makes in terms of Price, quality, reaching the unreached Without synthetic materials No plastic based top layers Rs. 2 for regular and for wings it is 2. 60 which is

Rs. 3 and Rs. 7.25 respectively SHG makes are in Schools in vending machines Given along with promoting idea of MHM and

health impacts not just as a product or commodity

Performance

SHG members are trained to produce napkins with complete input of anatomy, health issues to poor MHM, causing cervical cancer, the use of napkins and detection of uterus infections thorugh the colour of the white discharge, etc.

All SHG makes are either cotton or wood pulp, easily degradable, no side effects, prepared scientifically suiting to average flow for a fixed duration telling to change the napkins at least after four to five hours

Long hours and good absorbency do not mean good quality as there is a chance of bacterial infection

All SHG makes are sterilized, but yet to standarized, which will shortly be done in collaboration with TVS Electronics Chennai

Cont.

MNC Makes are not certified under BIS Several SHG makes are certified under Indian Standards MNC makes mainly gain through advertisement, and the

design is to suit no movement of inside material, they are auto produced not sterilsed

All brands stay free, whisper, kortex produced in abroad and packing is in India, likelihood of contamination

They are for selling product, not MHM, for profit, not for focusing on improving health.

More of social Marketing

Cont.

Limited reach Different types, no standardization Competition Low cost but not attractive packing Lack of professionalism in selling adopting corporate

strategy Small scale production, increase in raw material cost

lead to closing of production. No standard training. Hand made and not sterilized and less credibility But still many SHG produce, successful in marketing and

earn comfortable income.

Easiness of Disposal

All natural materials including fusing paper, cotton, wood pulp and easy to dispose

Country method of small rat trap size cage to burn or bury under ground

Low cost concrete incinerator in Schools Electronic Incinerator for Corporate or offices Highly degradable but has to be disposed fully to

address the blockage etc. In built in every toilet to change the napkins and also

dispose off Rs. 1500 costed concrete incinerators at Krishnagiri

constructed by UNICEF in schools

Challenges

No awareness on various SHG makes Perception as poor quality and not hygienic Hike in prices of raw materials and failure and

discontinuity Spending on napkins not recognised as

necessity Demand constraints Lack of supply chain management – lack of

availability of all the materials needed.

Cont.

SHG makes need to prove producing cost effective napkins and supply at lower priceQuality in par or more than the MNC makesEnsuring and Enhancing effective and sustainable market challenges of increasing cost of inputs and unable to cope up with Failed to go for bulk purchase of Raw Material and Production to

minimize costCould not tell loudly – use of Harmless raw materialsFailure to identify low cost substitute raw materials in case of hike in

cotton priceSafe disposal methods to facilitate the women and girls

Disadvantages

absorbency high – not a guarantee of quality Petrochemical materials and other heat inducing

materials Tampons are used which often has self life

exceeded. Fully gel pad used manufactured napkins Recent budget hiked excise duty for packed

items, and MNC made napkins are exempted as they are not packed.

Never tested for Indian requirements, it is produced and taken as it is.

Advantages of SHG makes

Feed back is received and incorporated in production Flexible types, as per requirements, with thin and thick for heavy

and light flow days Cotton based and now wood pulp mixed with Akshaya but middle

layer WEAT is still making cotton based. Producers are owners and consumers Critical reach out to remote and grass root Selling hygiene practices and create demand Machine production less scope for contamination as only packing is

done by human SHG Makes are going for standardization by TVS electronics and

the MHMC would help every one to go for the standardization taking the parameters of thickness, absorbency, length, dimensions and size, hygiene [sterilized], using gloves, packing, scope for contamination etc

Disadvantages

Human made and unless it is produced under hygienic conditions, it is risky

Absorbency, and thin pads with gel pads cause itching,

Releasing sheet is absent Absorbency for more than five ours, spills out An average of 20 ml to 30ml and tested and

given, if it is not sustaining, long hours Cost increase of one materials, change the

material ratio may cause itches, irritation etc.

Different kinds of disposal units

Country method of preparing in steel a rat trap type to put the used napkins and burn Rs. 50 onwards

Since degradable, it is buried undergroundApartments, Schools, common concrete

incinerators with Rs. 1500 onwardsElectronic Incinerators with Rs. 10000

onwards for College Hostels, and other affordable places


How to develop this market from supply side[given the poor quality]There is a prejudice and wrong perception – MNCs are standard and

SHG makes are poor qualityNecessary to prove they are standardCorporate strategy needs to be applied in making it professional,

hygienic production conditions, with the PPPNetworking of NGOs, SHGs and help in standardization, share the

technology,market, and other innovations for the social causeThe cost hike should be managed by substituting materials rather than

increasing the priceFeed back from the customers and implementing the sameSeeking innovative methods of marketing through the SHGsAttractive packing and mainstreaming the SHG made to be sold in the

market.

Demand Side

Accommodating the requirements of absorbency, no spills, no chemical applications etc

Selling the idea of MHM rather than napkins to increase the demand.

Sharing of case studies after using napkins their experience Comparison of MNC and SHG made napkins and customers feed

back Free sample distribution. Reduce the cost of napkins and supply at an affordable price getting

subsidized price through CSR of cotton producing companies. Make the sanitary napkins accessible through vending machines,

and at lower prices, smaller packets with single or double or at the most three napkins for Rs. 5

Single pad with proper packing without giving scope for doubts of quality

comitment to promote women by buying the SHG makes.


MNC makes not certified to Indian Standards [BIS], Kortex, Stay free, care free, wishper No company produces in India, except Bella

J &J, P&G, etc. Production centres are in US and Packing is

done in India, likelihood of contamination as only rough package while transporting and it is being dumped in India

India has the production capability could be produced and avoid contamination

Content is not informed in the packages

Way forward

Making the school students to get involved in the process of maintenance of sanitation which in the long term sustainability

Teach the students on personal hygiene and cleanliness practices on MHM to girls, girl friendly toilets with sufficient infrastructure required to safe disposal of napkins.

Rural areas should be free from open defection and hygienic practices of handling Menstruation by following NGP Awarded villages.

Display of Sanitary Napkins

Napkins of Akshya group, Thiruvendhai- Chennai-Suyam

Woman NGO- Keeranur Pudukottai- Woman Care

Gandhigram Trust- RelaxAnnai Teresa Federation- ChennaiWEAT – MangaiOther

Sanitary Napkin Production by Poonthalir SHG, Coimbatore

Commenced in 2004 with the coverage of Total Sanitation Campaign with SGSY

Kalampalyam Village, Thondamuthur Block

Initial investment of Rs. 4.75 lakhs13 members trained for 10 days The process involves 10 stages as shown

below

Production Capacity

4500 pads/per day Marketing with DSMS, local clinics, other districts DSMS Peer SHG members Through PLF, BLF in monthly meetingsEmployment generation: 3-15 SHG members in sanitary napkin during single shift

production4000 human days generatedComparable with rural women employment earlierIncome: Rs. 75 per day which comes to Rs. 1800 on an

average

Social Impact

Adopt to Hygienic practices [use of napkins due to low cost SN availability

Increased Confidence and self esteem among adolescent girls

Improvement in personal hygiene and health status

Fall in girl child dropout in middle school [the school going adolescent girls reportedly drop out from schools due to inconvenience during periods

MHM – A public Private Partnership Shri Cheema Foundation of TVS, Electronics, TN

TVS electronics was the pioneer to intervene in Sanitation promotion in TN

Continuous involvement in sanitation revealed one serious issue- women’s hygiene

MH was taken as a third component in Total sanitation

Education and awareness made Akshaya SHG production unit set up with

tripariate contribution of 80% from TVS, 15% from govt and 5% from SHG women.

Akshya SHG, Thiruvendhai, Chennai

Supported by TVS Electronics under PPP using CSR in 2006

Innovations in terms of marketing in school through vending machines Tripartite investment TVS,Govt and SHG with Rs 70, 21 and 12 Thousands respectively.

Started in NGP award village and within short period sustained in business

Objective is to provide low cost high quality napkins

Sustaining the initiative

Continuous improvement as per customer requirements Continuous innovations in marketing to help SHG women to sustain

in business The CSR team of TVS Electronics backed by top management

supports this initiative Help in streamlining production processes- instilling scientific

temperament Creating demand through education. Linking sanitation and SHG movement. Introduction of Concept Marketing as opposed to produt marketing Enhance production and producivity by standardization Developing marketing and sales strategies Working to bring in innovations like vending macines – latest being

the manual vending machine Helpign with supply chain management and demand management

UNICEF supported events

Workshops were conducted Three International Learning Exchange programme Vending machine concept promoting affordablity of

sanitary napkins to school students Support from DRDA, Health department Officials National level trainers and helping to replicate the

intervention of promoting MHM among girls To realise full attendance and also prevent drop out of

girls The experience sharing of school girls were exciting They do not leave the school if they get ther periods

school They also buy to other members of the family

Corporate Social Responsibility

Under the CSR, company helped financially and also technically keeping two objectives social, and economic

Economic is to have livelihood needs met for the women

Social is to produce and cross subsidize to sell the napkins for Rs. 2

While marketing the napkins, the woman brought forth the issues of poor MHM

Supportive Organizations

UNICEFTamil Nadu Women Development

CorporationSHG womenFemale Hygiene NetworkCorporates producing Sanitary Napkin

vending machines.

Mother Teresa SHG Federation producing Napkin and offer training DRDA supported trainer later become UNICEF trainer Produces different models of napkin and with continuous

research going for use and throw pandies also. The SHG Federation had tailoring training originally and

later started having training on sanitary napkin production, baby products, jute bags etc.

Sanitary napkin production has been done with the objective of

Creating an awareness among rural women on MHM Sanitary napkin is a use and throw but proper disposal is

necessary for environemental safety Since it is a competitive field, it is necessary to offer as

profitable as possible to the producers to sustain

Income Earned by SHG women

Had taken a loan from DRDA Rs. 1.00,000 which was a portion of Rs. 2.5 lakhs

Installed machinery and bought raw material and successfully running the production units

Originally door to door production, and later picked up and now marketing through other SHG members

The members also serve as trainers and earn for their livelihood and supplement the income.

Rs. 1500 is earned as income per head by 12 memebers in the production of napkins.

It is good that SHG women also become employers and employees. Invited to give training all over the nation, including Orrissa, Bihar,

Jharkhand, New Delh etc. Good recognition, status and income and empwerment of women.

Mother Teresa Women Development Forum, Chennai

Ms. Nagalakshmi

President, 1/11, Karpaga Vinayagar Temple St

Kerugampakkam Village, Kundrathur Block

Kanchipuram District

Mobile: 098403 10677

E-mail: [email protected]

Training and production by WEAT supported by Department of Women’s Studies

WEAT identified Sanitary Napkin production as a Social project

Trains SHGs, women in micro enterprises and produce low cost cotton based napkins

Market in slums, schools, colleges, Collector office and other offices, National Institute of Technology, and offers training regularly to those who are interested.

Installed vending machine and incinerator in certain colleges, District collector office of Tiruchirapalli etc

District Collector, and DRDA allotted two shops in the Rural Mart Campus to train and also produce napkins.

Ms. Sathivani was awarded best micro entrepreneur

Women Entrepreneurs Association of Tamil Nadu [WEAT]

Ms. Rani Muralidharan

President, WEAT, no. 1, B. Block, St. Pauls Complex, Bharathiar Salai, Tiruchirapalli

Ph: 09842413262

[email protected]

Gandhigram Trust, Tamil Nadu

10 SHG members given Skill Training Used Surgical Cotton Initially Later switched over to Wood Pulp Involved in production since 2003 An innovative trade helps to prevent RTI Branded as “ RELAX” Started with trail and error and modify as and

when required RuTAG [Rural Technology Action Group] of IIT

Chennai and Kumaraguru College, Coimbatore supporting on technical aspect

Cont.

Two varieties – Extra Large for maternal use, and normal stickers model for regular

Producing 2000 packets [10 pads each] per month

Four SHG members involved in production 785 SHG members from all over India trained 2008 helped to establish three production units

with the support of DST, Uttarkhand, Kodaikanal, & North East Region

Marketing strategy of Gandhigram

Gandhigram Sales Representatives, Show Rooms, Medical Shops, Hospitals, Hostels, Vending machines and Sales Exhibitions

Own customers, able to compete and withstand MNC and large corporate brands

Baby diapers are also produced with the support of DST

Joined the Menstrual Hygiene Management Consortium voluntarily. Ms. Revathy is the Vice President

Contact Details

Ms. RevathyDirectorExtension Department &Mr. KrishnaswamyProject ExecutiveGandhigram TrustDindigual 624 312Mobile: 099940 58433E-mail: [email protected]

Sanitary napkin production by SHGs with WOMAN NGO Survey conducted in 1992 on use and disposal methods

during menstruation Found using cloths and throwing openly in streets Perception as spending on napkin is unnecessary Wanted to change, appointed village level facilitator, block

level co-ordinator and branch level co-ordinators SHG women started 3 napkin production units in 1998,

branded as “ WOMAN CARE, using wood pulp Introduced to the market, formed a network of clients

producing different products and a slogan “ join together and achieve”

Marketing Strategy

Marketing and Selling SHG Team formed to market the napkins

757 villages, 125 women SHG members are involved in production

Profitable enterprise and sustaining also Every week end there will be a market where all the

products of SHG members be brought and sold, inculcated the habit of SHG to buy SHG made products.

Regular demand and order Initially single piece folded in paper to schools, which

attracted very much It is made available in three napkin packets to8 pads Like milk packet, the women buy the napkins and go.

Problems

During Awareness Campaigns In production In forming the NetworkMs. Shantha Sheela Nayar, the then Secretary to Health

guided. Many had uterus surgery in villages and WOMAN engaged in

that time. It is claimed that it is economic, eco friendly, easy to dispose,

has 127300 customers as per the latest data, from four districts around Pudukottai

Invited by UNICEF, SACOSAN, Bharathidasan University, District Collectors, IAS officers, Rotarians from US etc.

WOMAN NGO, Tamil Nadu

Ms. Kannagi, Chairperson, WOMAN NGO

17, Periayar st, Subramaniyapuram, Tiruchirapalli-20

Mobile: 9994917884

E-mail: [email protected]

Contact Details for MHMC Awareness Programmes and Sanitary Napkin Production.

Department of Women’s StudiesBharathidasan University

Khajamalai CampusTiruchirapalli-23

[email protected], 2420627 and other

NGOs mentioned above

Other SHG women

Ms.Arockia Mary offer training and produce napkins called Sunlight and market in the villages, SHG women

Ms. Anusuya, produces napkins at Manachanallur, and markets successfully among the SHG women

Ms.Niraimathi produces napkins at Dindigul and able to train and produce and market among SHG women

Ms. Valli produces and sells in schools and offers training at Musiri – all hand made

Ms. Fatima Produces Machine made wood pulp based napkins SHGs at CORD Foundation at Coimbatore produces napkins and

sells among the SHG women. There are number of groups at Kancheepuram, Dharmapuri,

Krishnagiri producing napkins and market to Schools wherein School teachers were offered training to produce napkins

In Pondicherry a SHG participated in auction tender but could not succeed, but supplies to the company which had taken the tender.

DWS, Bharathidasan Univ Initiative

With the support of UNICEF three levels of workshop to

[i] to assess the problems and challenges of SHG made napkins

[ii] Stakeholders workshop to understand the need for incorporating MHM into total Sanitation

[iii] Tiruchy Declaration and Formation of Network of NGOs and other institutions, working on promoting MHM


MNC makes not certified to Indian Standards [BIS], Kortex, Stay free, care free, wishper No company produces in India, except Bella

J &J, P&G, etc. Production centres are in US and Packing is

done in India, likelihood of contamination as only rough package while transporting and it is being dumped in India

India has the production capability could be produced and avoid contamination

Content is not informed in the packages

Advantages of SHG makes

Feed back is received and incorporated in production Flexible types, as per requirements, with thin and thick for heavy

and light flow days Cotton based and now wood pulp mixed with Akshaya but middle

layer WEAT is still making cotton based. Producers are owners and consumers Critical reach out to remote and grass root Selling hygiene practices and create demand Machine production less scope for contamination as only packing is

done by human SHG Makes are going for standardization by TVS electronics and

the MHMC would help every one to go for the standardization taking the parameters of thickness, absorbency, length, dimensions and size, hygiene [sterilized], using gloves, packing, scope for contamination etc

Disadvantages

Human made and unless it is produced under hygienic conditions, it is risky

Absorbency, and thin pads with gel pads cause itching,

Releasing sheet is absent Absorbency for more than five ours, spills out An average of 20 ml to 30ml and tested and

given, if it is not sustaining, long hours Cost increase of one materials, change the

material ratio may cause itches, irritation etc.

Different kinds of disposal units

Country method of preparing in steel a rat trap type to put the used napkins and burn Rs. 50 onwards

Since degradable, it is buried undergroundApartments, Schools, common concrete

incinerators with Rs. 1500 onwardsElectronic Incinerators with Rs. 10000

onwards for College Hostels, and other affordable places


How to develop this market from supply side[given the poor quality]There is a prejudice and wrong perception – MNCs are standard and

SHG makes are poor qualityNecessary to prove they are standardCorporate strategy needs to be applied in making it professional,

hygienic production conditions, with the PPPNetworking of NGOs, SHGs and help in standardization, share the

technology,market, and other innovations for the social causeThe cost hike should be managed by substituting materials rather than

increasing the priceFeed back from the customers and implementing the sameSeeking innovative methods of marketing through the SHGsAttractive packing and mainstreaming the SHG made to be sold in the

market.

Demand Side

Accommodating the requirements of absorbency, no spills, no chemical applications etc

Selling the idea of MHM rather than napkins to increase the demand.

Sharing of case studies after using napkins their experience Comparison of MNC and SHG made napkins and customers feed

back Free sample distribution. Reduce the cost of napkins and supply at an affordable price getting

subsidized price through CSR of cotton producing companies. Make the sanitary napkins accessible through vending machines,

and at lower prices, smaller packets with single or double or at the most three napkins for Rs. 5

Single pad with proper packing without giving scope for doubts of quality

comitment to promote women by buying the SHG makes.

Performance of SHG makes

Limited reach Different types, no standardization Competition Low cost but not attractive packing Lack of professionalism in selling adopting corporate

strategy Small scale production, increase in raw material cost

lead to closing of production. No standard training. Hand made and not sterilized and less credibility But still many SHG produce, successful in marketing and

earn comfortable income.

Policy of TN and GOI Central and State governments propose to distribute

sanitary napkins to BPL women and girls free of cost Proposal is also there to make the Differently Abled

persons to train and make them produce and market in all the homes of the same group by Govt of TN.

Disposal of napkin through electronic incinerator of those who afford

In Schools, girl friendly toilets with low cost concrete incinerator

There are country type incinerator like rat trap size, each family prepare a box with the required design to put the used napkins and burn without much pollution and damage to environment.

Sanitary Napkins Made by SHGs Final

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