Set up a Bio-Compostable Sanitary Napkins factory and Support Rural Entrepreneurship

KarmaKonnect will partner with Aakar Innovations to set up sanitary pad mini factory in Marriguda, Telangana, that will employ local women to manufacture and distribute bio-degradable, low-cost sanitary napkins. We will establish a sanitary napkin production unit that will provide sustainable livelihoods for women of the community as they become entrepreneurs and community marketing agents and build an eco-system where there is demand for it. The eco-system will be created using ICT (Information Communication Technology) and Sports, so that they can come out of the four walls to discuss about MHM (Menstrual Hygiene Management) openly. A three-pronged approach, based on the symbiotic relationship of each factor, is necessary to ensure the sustainability of each micro enterprise:

a) Set up Production Unit

Aakar will identify local communities in which the establishment of a sanitary napkin production unit will provide maximum livelihood benefits. The unit infrastructure will be determined by Aakar and will be supplied with Aakar’s customized machinery and raw materials. For the first year of operations, Aakar will serve as a full-time resource for the unit in order to foster a thriving foundation that will promote micro enterprise sustainability. Aakar will be responsible for aiding and assisting in the following:

Training and Technical Knowledge: Aakar will provide an extensive 1 week training to the unit supervisor in the training centre which will discuss everything from sanitary napkin production to unit economics and reducing waste in the workplace. Additionally, Aakar will provide a five day training to each of the unit workers which will cover the production process, basic maintenance, etc.

Operational Assistance: The unit will begin production under the supervision of Aakar staff.

b) Establish Market Linkages through Village Level Entrepreneur Networks

The setup will simultaneously create lasting livelihood opportunities as well as market linkages by identifying and training local community women to work as Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs). Aakar will equip each VLE with the skills to build business networks and market Anandi napkins throughout their communities in order to earn a profit margin on each sale. This profit is retained within the community, thus, increasing the local money supply and promoting inclusive economic growth. This will not only create additional income opportunities for the women but also foster social change and awareness. Furthermore, Anandi­-bens, as community influencers, are expected to play a pivotal role promoting hygienic menstrual products and leading more women to join the Anandi­-ben network. The efforts of the VLEs will be complimented by advocacy with govt. departments to create markets for the supply of pads. Special focus will be given to Education and Health departments.

c) Demand Generation through  Behavior Change Communication

Providing knowledge on menstrual hygiene management empowers communities to make choices in favour of their own health. Through this programme, we will  raise awareness, through education, regarding menstrual health and hygiene by integrating the many contextual factors that surround it such as education, sanitation, disposal, and waste management into its creative and informative curriculum.

There is lack of wider understanding of problems related to poor menstrual behaviour and the need for improved management of menstrual hygiene. Good hygiene and better health are directly proportional to each other. Poor menstrual hygiene can cause diseases like cervical cancer, fungal infections, and reproductive tract infections and can also be the reason for various urinary infections. There is a dire need to make people understand that menstruation is not solely `a women’s issue’ but is a social and human rights issue too. The Aakar behaviour change framework is designed for the girls and women, to make them prepared and understand what menstruation is and how to manage it hygienically without any shame and also how important it is to share the knowledge regarding menstruation. It also aims to include boys and men to eliminate the stigma surrounding menstruation and create a supportive atmosphere at home and schools and take initiatives at community level.

PLAN OF ACTION:

The workers of the mini factories will be women and the same will be involved in the sales of the sanitary napkins. This program is driven by young women, and their support is essential to run this program. School teachers, ASHA and Anganwadi workers will be involved to execute the awareness program. Awareness program will run at school and communities.

Training of Trainers includes a comprehensive curriculum within Menstrual Health Management for women who have already had some exposure to the public health/menstrual hygiene product landscape. The idea is to also introduce concepts within gender norms, basic life skills, Menstrual Health, safe and healthy hygiene practices, use and disposal of pads as well as other areas that looks at building the agency of women.

Here, Aakar aims to provide this training to the 15 unit workers, as well as to a minimum of 30 health workers (ASHAs, Anganwadis, ANMs) in the district

About the NGO

KarmaKonnect is a non-profit social venture that aims to connect the fragmented ‘giving’ ecosystem by empowering NGOs, donors, volunteers, corporates and government to create impactful social development interventions. KarmaKonnect is an enabler; motivating and empowering individuals and organizations to tap the growing philanthropy landscape by creating, connecting, and/or collaborating for credible projects and causes. The KarmaKonnect team is currently involved in a number of initiatives across the country, through various dedicated volunteers and NGOs. We are primarily working on:

• Child education and livelihood skills (slum evening schools/shelters and aiding low income govt schools) in Gujarat, Telangana, MP and Delhi through utilization of existing govt infrastructure and innovative collaborative models.

• Women Empowerment and legal help, rescue and rehabilitation projects (primarily on Gujarat and UP)

• Rural Empowerment and Citizens Change/Awareness programs (Gujarat, MP, UP, Telangana and Rajasthan).

• We also Executing comprehensive "adopt a village" projects for donors involving well researched sustainable solutions for development

• Training and placement of specially abled

• Refuge rehabilitation projects. (Urban slums)

• Adhoc Medical help and assistance as needed.