Needy schoolgirls losing out on school attendance due to lack of appropriate sanitary pads

Menstruation, also known as a period or monthly, is the regular discharge of blood and tissue from the inner lining of the uterus through the vagina. The first period usually begins between 8 and 16 years of age. The typical length of time between the first day of one period and the first day of the next is 21 to 45 days in young women. Bleeding usually lasts around 2 to 7 days.

Unfortunately, this perfectly normal function of the female human body remains a taboo and is rarely talked about. Schoolgirls often remain absent from class because of lack of facilities and appropriate sanitary pads. In extreme cases, some of them drop out of school altogether. Most use anything they can get hold of. Scraps of cloth from old saris, discarded garments and even paper! Such scraps are generally used for 2 to 3 months till they wither away. No wonder that sadly for most girls in India this “period” in every month is dreaded and feared.

Our Solution

Gift Jodo Pad Kits to our beneficiaries and help needy schoolgirls lead a life of Comfort and Dignity. Before distributing kits, our Partner NGOs (PNGOs) speak and/or screen a video about the natural process of menstruation followed by a question-and-answer session. The beneficiaries are also taught on usage of Resuable Pads.

Our beneficiaries are inspired to:

• Prepare 30 seedballs each with help from our PNGO, who arrange to dry them and disperse them at in approved locations.
• In some areas, we inspire groups of 5 beneficiaries to plant and nurture a sapling in or around their school.

Jodo Kit Comprises

• Includes a ‘Holder’ or “Pocket” which have a small strip of Poly Urethane Laminate (PUL) to prevent leakage of menstrual fluid. The PUL laminate is fused between 2 layers of soft cotton cloth which is the exterior of the Holder. Size of the Holder is:
• The Holder has 2 straps at both ends (see photo) to hold the detachable cotton cloth inserts which are in contact with the body. These inserts are of varying layers and can also be replaced by any cotton cloth strips as available with the beneficiary.
• The holder has snap buttons that hold it firmly against the panty.