For years, everything related to ‘periods’ and ‘chums’ has been discussed in hushed voices all over the country, despite the fact that is one of the most common biological situations that every person with ovaries has to face. According to reports, out of the 40 crore menstruators in India, less than 20 per cent use pads. In urban cities, only 52 per cent of women use period supplies which means that almost half of the women don’t use or use unsanitary options when they’re menstruating. To change this, Prachi Kaushik, a social entrepreneur and the founder of Vyomini–a non-profit organisation that aims to provide solutions to problems associated with menstrual health in rural India–is on a mission to change the way society looks at menstruation.
“My organisation works on a three A-approach: Awareness, affordability and accessibility,” she explains. After spreading awareness about menstruation, her team aims to teach women in rural areas how to manufacture and sell sanitary napkins. These, sold under Vyomini’s in-house brand called ‘Rakshak,’ are affordably priced at six napkins for ₹20.
Kaushik launched this non-profit in 2017 and since then has helped 10 lakh women all over the country. Watch her interview to know how she managed to do this.