As we entered the Project Butterfly Center, we could hear the whirring of the sewing machines. Our staff were showing the new trainees the way to stitch the Set Free Pads, reusable sanitary pads designed by our own Sameena Kauser.
She designed this because of her understanding that disposable pads are not available in the slums. Plus, in rural areas, it is common for the women to use leaves, old rags or similar items during the periods. Because of this lack of resources, the family’s health, economic status and financial stability is impacted.
Since the pandemic, Set Free Pads have been distributed free of cost to the ladies in the red-light districts of Mumbai. Nine hundred pads have been distributed in these areas. Over six thousand women have been reached.
Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote, ”A woman’s health is her capital.” The health of a woman has a rippling effect to the surrounding family. If she is not able to work due to her period, that is a loss of income. If her daughter is unable to go to school because of her period , that is loss of school days ultimately leading to a loss of income
