Page 26 - MHM Report-2023
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CoMMuniTy liveliHoods & Skill Training: With a focus to provide
susTainaBle saniTary produCTs the three A’s – accessibility, availability and
Providing access to sustainable absorbents for affordability – to menstruating women and
safe and hygienic menstrual management is a key girls, the MHM team has set up skill-training
component in the MHM programme. Typically, programmes for women. These workshops
women use pads made by folding cloth. But these teach women to stitch washable and reusable
need to be washed and dried hygienically to be safe menstrual pads using safe, sustainable and easily
for reuse. The Trusts promote the importance of available material. The women make pads for
keeping such cloth pads clean and dry. themselves as well as for sale in the market.
Girls, women and men are also made aware Women entrepreneurs are guided and encouraged
of the product of baskets available to practice to sell these reusable cloth pads directly and
menstrual hygiene. Large parts of India lack through local shops. The embedding of livelihoods
garbage handling facilities; throwaway products within the MHM programme helps to develop a
tend to become environmentally-damaging litter or sustainable eco-system.
end up in landfills. Cloth Pad Production Units: The thought
The MHM team works to bolster awareness of behind initiating cloth pad production is to
the need for environmentally sustainable products. make women self-reliant for their needs during
Access to menstrual hygiene products is a key pillar menstruation. The team works with CRPs who
of the MHM programme. Developing a supply chain reach out to local women SHGs to set up these units
for sustainable sanitary pads has led to the creation (see box 10). Where necessary, The Tata Trusts
of community livelihoods, specifically for women- provides the initial capital to set up these units.
led self-help groups (SHGs). Cloth pad production units are running in Uttar
Pradesh and being planned in Assam, Maharashtra
loCal supply CHains (Nashik, Nandurbar & Amravati), and Gujarat.
The MHM programme sets up supply chains
through formation of self-help groups (SHGs) susTainaBle disposal MeTHods
in collaboration with the Uttar Pradesh State Branded sanitary pads available in the market
Rural Livelihood Mission (UPSRLM). These are typically throwaway but non-compostable.
SHGs in turn set up cloth-pad producing units They have an extremely damaging outcome on
with support from the Tata Trusts’ MHM team. the environment. Often, menstruating girls and
Tata Trusts ensures the supply side is met with women are not aware of how to segregate and
demand. This demand is primarily created through dispose of used products in a safe and effective
awareness programmes. The Trusts also ensures manner. Making them aware is key to developing
further availability of cloth pads through social sustainable long-term solutions for menstrual
entrepreneurs, retail channel and depot holders. waste management.
diy cloth pad stitching video
During the pandemic, when field visits were not possible, the MHM team came up with a communication
10 solution, to make women self-reliant and capable of managing their menstruation with safety and
dignity. The MHM team created an animated video on ‘How to stitch your own Cloth Pad.’ The video was
circulated by CRPs and through WhatsApp and other social media channels.
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