Sanitree’s Her Shakti Centre in Jaipur provides women in difficult economic circumstances a job, enabling them to earn a fair wage and provide for themselves and their families. Sanitree’s pads also prevent women’s income being spent repeatedly on disposable products.

Many women in India continue to use old rags and cloth as an alternative to sanitary pads, which often have health complications and carry diseases. Pads are much more hygienic, and women are taught the correct way to wash and care for these pads to keep themselves safe. Our beneficiaries work in safe conditions, where they are able to choose flexible hours and receive a fair wage to live.

Our community Outreach officer Muskan and Co-director Ishu carry out important work in leading community and school sessions to educate women not only on the importance and benefits of using our reusable pads, but also to end the stigma surrounding menstruation.

Sanitree’s team is made up entirely of women; we are a team passionate about women’s rights and fighting the taboo around menstruation. Our beneficiaries in Jaipur are also part of this - women are chosen who need work the most, and receive a fair wage alongside flexible work hours which fit within their lifestyles. This allows women to become more financially independent, and make more choices in daily life.

The production of the pads in the Her Shakti Centre provides women a fair wage, a safe working environment and creates economic empowerment, where women are able to live life more independently. Flexible work is an important model used to allow women to work alongside other commitments.

Sanitree’s pads are fully biodegradable once poppers are removed, materials are sourced locally and packaging uses textile offcuts which would otherwise go to waste. Once supplied with our reusable pads, it reduces need for consumption of disposable products which create unnecessary plastic pollution and waste.

By creating our reusable pads, Sanitree aims to combat the plastic pollution associated with disposable products. This keeps plastic out of the oceans, protecting both marine life and the associated impacts on humans. This is especially important in places where correct disposal of products does not occur.