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Cloth Pad Production:
Entrepreneurial opportunities for SHGs
he sudden, pandemic-induced strict
lockdown starting March 2020 left many
Tgirls and women struggling to access
menstrual hygiene products. Many regions of
Uttar Pradesh, one of the project area of Tata
Trusts’ MHM initiative, faced a similar issue.
The lockdown had severely affected girls’ and
women’s access to sanitary napkins. There were
various reasons for this – their movement was
restricted due to the lockdown; their ability to pay
had reduced due to their families’ loss of wages;
and even if they could afford it, shops nearby had
closed down, shutting off access. collaboration. The Trusts team was looking for
The situation was even more critical among women willing to be trained to stitch reusable
female migrants and women in temporary shelters cloth pads on a commercial basis. Wanting to set
and quarantine centres. The Tata Trusts used up her own business, Sheela volunteered for, and
Community Resource Persons (CRPs) to reach underwent, the training required to become an
out to women-led self-help groups (SHGs) in these entrepreneur. “The Trusts team also took me to
districts through the Uttar Pradesh State Rural villages to interact with the women and I then
Livelihoods Mission (UPSRLM). saw that there was considerable demand for pads,”
The SHGs were roped in to setup production she says.
units at the local level. This ensured easier access There were some early challenges. Sourcing
and greater affordability for sanitary pads. The the raw material for the pads locally was a
first production unit was set up in Bahraich in May challenge, so Sheela and her husband had to
2020, thanks to a frontline worker who offered travel to Gujarat to buy the stock they needed.
space in her home. The Trusts funded the first Eventually, Sheela tied up with a wholesaler to
production unit by providing a sewing machine, control her costs and keep the pads affordable. As
raw materials and other resources needed for the a part of her marketing strategy, she canvasses
first 3,000 pads. The pads could be reused for up to in areas where women congregate – like at
six months and were affordable at `60 each. panchayat meetings or at local factories that
Localisation of supply is a crucial aspect employ female workers.
in ensuring affordable and regular supply of Today Sheela is both an entrepreneur and an
menstrual hygiene products in rural areas. The employer to a network of sales-girls in multiple
Tata Trusts’ MHM team regularly partners villages, hired on a commission basis. Making
with locals to further this cause, and Sheela a tidy profit of `1,00,000 in two years has also
Soni, a resident of Swaroopganj in Rajasthan’s encouraged her to diversify into other businesses
Sirohi district, saw a perfect opportunity in this serving her women clientele.
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