In a remarkable stride towards women’s empowerment, especially poignant on the occasion of International Women’s Day, rural women in Jharkhand’s Chandwa, took a significant step to address menstrual hygiene challenges through affordable sanitary napkins.
As part of a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activity by a reputed coal mining organisation in Chandwa’s Chakla, a group of 11 women were selected to create a self-help group. They were trained at Zirhul Sanitary Napkin Plant, which was established in December 2023.
The project trained these women to empower them to manage and operate the plant, which produces approximately 3,000 packets of sanitary napkins each month.
Take a look at the women working at the plant:
The demand for these affordable sanitary pads has surged, not only from within the community—where over 500 women now purchase them without hesitation, but also from external organisations. The plant has received orders to supply 10,000 packets per month to an organisation in Ranchi’s Muri and an additional 2,000 packets to one located in Odisha.
This flourishing demand signifies a positive shift in attitudes towards menstrual health and hygiene in the region.
The initiative has also sparked economic growth by providing employment opportunities for local women. Several women now earn a monthly income of Rs 5,000, with prospects for more jobs as the plant expands its operations.
Vivek Mishra, the head of the coal mines, emphasised the importance of addressing menstrual health as a critical barrier to women’s advancement and participation in all spheres of life. The establishment of the Zirhul Sanitary Napkin Plant is a step forward in acknowledging and tackling this issue, ensuring that the women and girls of Jharkhand can pursue their dreams unimpeded by health and hygiene concerns.
Source Agencies
