The Problem and Motivation behind:
“When I saw my friend suffering because of something that could be prevented, I knew I had to do something. I didn’t want other girls to go through the same pain,” – Rubina.
In many remote areas of Bangladesh, menstrual health remains a taboo subject, leading to serious health issues and social isolation for girls and young women. They frequently use old, unhygienic cloths during their periods because affordable sanitary napkins are not available. Rubina Khatun (24-year-old) witnessed that firsthand when a close friend missed school for several days, then she discovered that her friend had developed a severe uterine infection from repeatedly using unclean cloths. Shockingly, the infection later progressed to cancer. This tragic incident was the motivation that led Rubina, and her team to address the problem of access to menstrual health products.
The Innovative Solution
When Rubina and her team joint the Youth Innovation Lab, they learned how to gather information to deeply understand the problem the want to address. They conducted a survey in their communities, finding out a vast majority of girls and young women were using old, unhygienic cloth during their menstrual cycles. Many girls lacked awareness of proper menstrual hygiene and suffered from infections, itching, and even more severe health complications. They also reported missing school during their periods because they were embarrassed or lacked access to sanitary products. The cost of sanitary napkins was another major barrier. Many families could not afford commercially available pads, which could cost up to 100 Bangladeshi Taka (about $0.80) per pack. In rural areas, where poverty is widespread, spending on menstrual products is often considered a luxury rather than a necessity.
After realizing that cost of menstrual health products was the major barrier for girls and young women, Rubina and her team developed a prototype of locally made, affordable sanitary napkins. They tested their sanitary napkins and received very positive feedback, as being safe, hygienic, and affordable solution, reducing infections and health risks. They also received recognition from community leaders for the effectiveness of their solution in improving public health. This positive feedback encouraged to proceed and set up a small factory where they manufacture sanitary napkins using machine-based processes to maintain hygiene.
Rubina and her team was very keen to make sure that every girl and young women to have access to their products, therefore they offered their sanitary napkins at discounted prices or even free for those in extreme poverty. They also ran awareness campaigns in schools and door-to-door visits in their communities to educate girls and young women about menstrual hygiene. Additionally, they built an online presence through WhatsApp and Facebook, allowing them to reach more people and share important information.
Since its inception in June 2022, Rubina and her team have produced and distributed over 5,000 sanitary napkins to low-income women in their community and surrounding areas. They also contributed to improving menstrual health for more than 250 young girls by providing free products and hygiene education. Additionally, their solution has created employment opportunities for three women involved in the production and distribution process so far. The more they will expand their production, the more employment opportunities they will offer to women in their communities.
Lessons Learned and Addressing Challenges:
“We didn’t know how to start, but the Innovation Lab showed us how to plan financially and use resources wisely. Without their support, we couldn’t have set up our factory.” – Rubina
Being part of the Youth Innovation Lab significantly supported Rubina and her team. The lab provided a seed grant that was critical in helping them acquire the first set of machinery and establish production. Additionally, the lab offered business management training, enabling the team to make efficient use of their resources. They also received mentorship support that helped them in product pricing, handling finances, marketing their products, and collaborating with other stakeholders.
Joining the Innovation Lab and working on this solution was a quite transformative journey for Rubina, as she explains “I never thought I would be able to speak in front of so many people. But after joining the Innovation Lab, I learned how to express my ideas confidently. I even became the MC at a national event in Dhaka. That was a big moment for me.”
Reflecting on their learning, Rubina identified three lessons learned as follow:
- Breaking the stigma around menstruation by sharing personal stories and real-life examples: One of the most significant challenges was the deep-seated stigma associated with menstruation. Many community members were uncomfortable discussing menstrual health openly. This resistance made it difficult to raise awareness and encourage women and girls to use sanitary napkins. To address that, the team initiated open dialogues and awareness campaigns, visiting schools and communities to educate women about menstrual hygiene. They used personal stories and real-life examples to humanise the issue and break down cultural barriers. “People didn’t want to talk about menstruation. We knew that to change mindsets, we had to start conversations and show that periods are normal. Once we began speaking openly, more people joined the discussion.” – Rubina explains.
- Convincing women to switch from cloth to napkins through offering free samples and mobilising local ambassadors among women: Many women were hesitant to use sanitary products, either because they were unaware of their benefits or felt uncomfortable trying something new. Some also worried about the cost, despite the lower prices of the produced napkins. To facilitate this switch, the team offered free samples and ran demonstration sessions to address misconceptions and highlight the benefits of using sanitary napkins. They also involved local women as ambassadors, helping to build trust and encourage more women to make the switch.
- Gaining community trust by ensuring quality of product: Initially, some community members were thoughtful of the quality of napkins, thinking they wouldn’t be effective. There was also hesitation about whether the products made locally would be of good quality. Therefore, Rubina and her team focused on quality control and community engagement. They made sure the sanitary napkins were well-made and hygienic. To build credibility, they involved local women in the production process, which helped gain community buy-in and trust. “People didn’t take us seriously at first. But when they saw the quality of our products and realised, we were committed, they started supporting us. Involving local women really helped build that trust.” – Rubina explains.
Next Steps and Future Aspirations:
“We want every girl in Bangladesh to have access to safe, hygienic menstrual products. No one should suffer in silence or feel ashamed,” Rubina.
Rubina and her team have a vision to ensure that no girl misses out on school or suffers from health issues due to a lack of menstrual hygiene products. Their goal is not just to sell sanitary napkins but to create a cultural shift, where menstruation is seen as a normal, healthy part of life. To do so, they have a plan of the following steps:
- Increasing production by acquiring better machinery, which could produce up to 14 napkins per minute.
- Expanding the school booth system, where girls can easily purchase sanitary napkins on campus.
- Advocating for government support to reduce the cost of raw materials, making the products even more affordable.
- Seeking partnerships and funding to upgrade their factory with higher-quality machines that can produce more sanitary napkins at a lower cost.