Jenny and Dave, of Our Delhi Struggle, are running a fund-raising project with the objective of bringing sanitary pads to poor women in rural India who risk vaginal and urinary tract infections (and thus illness, incontinence, and infertility) during every period from puberty to menopause. Please check it out at http://ragstopads.com/ and spread the word.
July 31, 2008
Spread The Good Word
Posted by The Quirky Indian under Uncategorized | Tags: community, health, India, inspiration, People, women |[4] Comments
The Quirky Indian 
July 31, 2008 at 3:27 pm
QI:
Sorry I have been reading but very little time to comment in last few weeks and August will be the same I think 😦
With this project, I wonder what is going to happen with disposal and recycling of used sanitary pads. If not recyclable, then landfill. If recyclable, then in order that the same problems as these pads are meant to eliminate do not recur, it has to be done professionally. Is that value chain complete?
The reason why I ask these is that if one is doing something afresh, at least we do not have to repeat the mistakes that lend themselves to environmentally unfriendly products as in the west..
Also because the sanitation systems and waste disposal systems in rural India are far from perfect, these may well land in the landfill or worse, open rubbish tips. The public health issues arising would affect far more people than just the women..
Asked the same questions of Jenny. I am all for ventures-for-serving-women but this is one area that is an essential evil yet nobody has come up with the ‘green’ solutions that are the need of the hour.
July 31, 2008 at 6:28 pm
I’m more concerned about the efficacy of the materials being used in sanitary pads. Most pads available on the market contain Rayon and Dioxin (rayon amplifies the production of Toxic Shock Syndrome Toxin), which given the sensitivity of the vaginal walls, is absorbed by the vagina.
I believe we should go old school- hand made cloth pads, cotton or a menstrual cup. I use handmade cloth pads (too much information?;) It’s sustainable, safe, and gives you a whole new appreciation for your body. Plus, it’s anti-consumerism and who doesn’t love that?
Teaching them about the proper sanitation and providing them with clean water would be a smarter investment.
July 31, 2008 at 6:46 pm
@Shefaly – I must confess that thoughts about disposal/recycling never crossed my mind. Well, one learns all the time. Valid concerns, and since you’ve asked Jenny, I suppose we’ll wait for her answer!
@LM – OK, never knew a lot of what you said either, and I must admit that this exchange has left me a lot better informed than I was.
@Both – I suppose what you are saying makes sense, but the fact that someone’s cared enough to take the initiative and start something is commendable. May I request you to give them this feedback, yet support them in whatever way you can? Thanks.
July 31, 2008 at 10:41 pm
QI:
Indeed, commendable it is. Jenny is seeking answers to the questions I have asked. But it has spawned more questions as you might have seen on their blog.
As for this exchange leaving you better informed, you are not alone. In fact it is nice that you are not queasy like most men appear to be. 🙂
Personal health and hygiene issues are very important in this regular biological process but manufactured solutions are not just expensive for women, but also raise disposal issues as you know now. Considering the said venture is in UP – with its incipient dramas of social ‘shame’ etc – it is likely to run into many other problems on the ground.
Lets see what we learn further.. 🙂