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Phase: Review

Raahi - Reusable Menstrual Pads & Baby Cloth Diapers

Reusable Menstrual Pads and Baby Cloth Diapers made out of Nike Grind materials and stitched by rural women of Uttar Pradesh in India

Photo of Sarah Nethan
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Uttar Pradesh is one of the most populated States of India where majority of people belong to the lower strata of the society. Lack of education, strong influence of old cultural/religious taboos, social stigma, lack of family support, etc take a toll on their women...especially when it's that time of the month.

Menstruation is one issue that has been persisting since years and been in talks especially in the recent years due to various Feminist movements. Despite all the glorious movements, rallies, parades to create awareness on Menstrual Health and how it's a natural process we girls go through, there are a few women who are still behind time. They resort to various alternatives to Sanitary Napkins such as old/unused cloth procured from old saree/dhoti or fabric scrap at the tailor's, ash, sand husk and what not. 

Poverty and lack of clean sanitary napkins in the interiors of U.P. is one of the main reasons for this nightmare. 

Company / Organization Name (if applicable)

Community Empowerment Lab

Website (if applicable)

http://www.community.org.in/

Which Nike Grind materials will your idea utilize?

  • EVA Foam Sheets & Blocks
  • EVA Foam Components
  • Laminated EVA Foam
  • Mixed Apparel Textile
  • Footwear Fiber "Fluff"

How specifically will these materials be incorporated into your solution?

Please include a visual (can be either 2D or 3D) representation/prototype of your concept. (required)

What is the current stage of development of your idea?

  • Research & Early Testing

Describe your target market. Who will benefit from your product?

Young girls and women of rural India

Tell us about yourself and your team. What is your background and experience?

We are a non-profit Public Health research organization consisting of a multidisciplinary team of doctors, anthropologists, engineers, data analysts, designers and the like.

In what city are you located?

Lucknow

In what country are you located?

India

What is your legal / organizational structure? (if applicable)

Non-Profit Organization
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Photo of Sarah Nethan
Team

Ideas for Scale - Up :
Majority of women in the villages have great sewing skills. In fact, this is one of the most common means of income for them. Menstrual pads and/or cloth baby diapers produced locally through a Self Help Group would be the first way of scaling - up this idea. Along with this, one aspect to pay heed to would be looking at the Behavioral and Cognitive Biases prevalent in this issue and tackling the same through a Behavior Change model :

1. Desirability - Goal setting, acceptance, etc
2. Learnability - How easy is it to learn / use this product
3. Doability - Ability to perform the action / steps involved is easy
4. Believability - Assurance to women, social proof, physical proof, etc

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