Hena Ahmed/Kolkata

A study revealed that only 36% of India’s 355 million menstruating women avail sanitary napkins while the rest are using rags, husk, leaves etc to take care of their biological cycle; the situation worsened during the pandemic.

Besides, the study also revealed that 71% of girls have no knowledge of this biological process till they experience it for the first time.

Kolkata based entrepreneur Nafisa Yeasmin along with the support from K.F. Health and Diagnostic Centre and Dr Nister Society are reaching out to spread awareness among the girls on the importance of menstruation as a significant phase in women’s life.

Through their menstruation hygiene program - Sahochori wishes to provide sanitary napkins to every woman. Their vision is to celebrate Healthy Woman and Healthy Society by making quality sanitary pads at cheaper price accessible and free distribution for the underprivileged.

Another aim of the project is an awareness campaign and installing vending machines in schools with proper supply mechanisms.

An outlet in Kolkata where sanitary napkins are distributed

Nafisa Yeasmin said that “Maintaining proper hygiene during menstruation is essential; women still treat it as a matter of secrecy and resort to unhygienic ways. Our endeavour is to break the myth and address the fear about menstruation and make people understand the importance of hygiene during that period. Apart from this, we want to bring awareness among the men folks is another part of our program.”

Sahochori team visits different parts of Kolkata regularly to spread awareness and provide free sanitary napkins.

 Women agents are employed to sell the products in their neighbourhood and get paid attractive commissions. Sahochori employs neighborhood saleswomen to bring down the costs and to make their prices attractive in comparison with other branded products available in the market.

 Shalini Das, a teacher, who also works with Sahochori said that it is helping young girls and women emotionally and to get rid of the myths about menstruation. It’s also helping the women financially.