The Story of a Reusable Pad Maker

Anju Thapa: Proprietor of Anju Sanitary Pad

I am Anju Thapa, a menstruate, a entrepreneur based in New Delhi, India

My First Period Experience

“My first period had happened when I was 11, at that time I had no idea how to handle menstruation problems so I was so nervous, worried and panicked.”

I was in the worst situation so my elder sister explained about the natural process of menstruation at a certain age of the girls so I was a bit calm. Due to our cultural and traditional restrictions, girls have to hide for 11 days from their brother and son. So, my mother & sister decided to keep me in the cow hut for 11 days as they have been through in their time. My sisters managed a homemade menstrual pad made from used clothes & stitched it into my undergarments. As my ex experience it was a difficult time for every girl where as they need love, care & support from their family but at that painful time if someone keeps away from their loved ones it is so horrible & disturbing. I was psychologically disturbed and felt like I had been punished from any non committed sin or crime. Before my first period I was treated normally but suddenly my life has changed. I was in the dark room for 11 days. My friends and my brothers were not allowed to see me, I was just left alone most of the time, I missed my schools every month during my period because of unavailability of menstrual pad in my village and even schools didn't have any separate restroom for girls to change their pads.

From Disposable to Reusable

I was using simple cotton napkins which were not able to stop my second day's heavy flow. Later in my 14, I was first introduced to disposable pad which really made my life easy going during my period but after couple of years, I started seeing allergy reaction from this disposable pad, unbearable itchiness, rashes and abdominal pain but I have no choice so I started taking antihistamine to control my allergy. But I hate to take antihistamine which makes me drowsy and lousy. One day I realized that if I use cotton on top of that pad, it could help so I have gone for it and somehow it was a bit helpful for a couple of years. One day when I was watching a TV program where people from the medical field were discussing period & menstrual safety from where I came to know that using clothes with disposable pads is more harmful so I started to think of options. I was already married at that point of time and shared all my problems with my husband who was working abroad. After listening to my whole problems with patience, he started searching for better options and finally he found a pad made with cotton which is totally waterproof. I started using it and found it so helpful and all the allergic problems vanished. My previous issues were solved, then I realized many girls are facing the same problems. If I can start a business many women will be benefitted. When I started researching some NGO and philanthropies organizations were providing training to some rural women but nobody has involved professionally in business. I discussed it with my husband and we both agreed to go for it professionally as a result Anju Sanitary Pad was born in 2018 A.D.

The Birth

“As a result, Anju Sanitary Pad was born in 2018 A.D.”

Now, 5 female and 2 male workers are directly connected with my company. I am so grateful as a job creator.

I am getting positive feedback from the Anju Pad users which is a great strength for me but some women still raise the issue about washing and carrying wet pad while traveling. I still convince them by stating that if you are able to wash your other clothes why not this? It will be more hygienic for your overall health. Since some of the disposable pads are not environmentally friendly and healthy. Hence a clothes pad has no risk to health and environment. It is easily decomposed compared to disposable pads. Many users were convinced after my advice. Our products are available in different E-commerce online platforms:

www.anjupad.com

www.daraz.com.np

www.sastodeal.com

www.facebook.com/anjusanitarypad

I would like to thank you for providing me this great opportunity to share my story of my menstrual experience on period poverty and business.

The Roadtrip & Period Pain

Aastha Bisht: The Pad Project Environmental Track Advisor

This is a road trip story, not necessarily a fun one. I felt shame.

The Context

“This is a road trip story, not necessarily a fun one.”

This is a road trip story, not necessarily a fun one. I was traveling with my family members. We were going to our relative’s house, in a different state. It was a long drive and I wish I knew I would get my period. The worst part was I didn’t feel any pain, which led to me not realizing that my period had come. Yes, I was feeling a bit uncomfortable, but That’s what you feel on a long road trip.

The Accident

I was sleeping and just when we reached our destination, I felt a bit of relief, I stood up and saw my car seat was covered with blood stains. All my relief turned into devastation. I felt embarrassed, almost guilty for letting this happen as if I did it on purpose, and it was only me who could have prevented this. In a few minutes the pain kicked in, and the longer I thought about the stains, the pain grew. I tried everything to clean, water bottles, tissues, clothes, even sanitizer. But the stains were not ready to go.

The Reaction

“I decided to tell my dad.”

I decided to tell my dad. “It’s okay, it will get cleaned” was his response. His words were the only thing which calmed me down. We stepped outside the car and it was very hot. We had to wait for our relatives to pick us up, and it was a long wait. There were chairs for us, but I decided not to sit because I didn’t want blood stains on the chair too.

The Lesson

Nearby there was a garden and I remember seeing red-colored flowers dance with the wind. It made me wonder about how ingrained the stereotype is in all of us. We blame ourselves and feel guilty about our bodies. I realized I was wrong for blaming myself instead of comforting myself.

The Habit of Embarrassment

Shivani Singhal: Menstrual Equity Ambassador

This is a journey of a girl wanting to unlearn the habit of embarrassment and shame for menstruation.

My Memory

“From there, I began speaking about the problem with menstruation.”

When I think back on my period experience, I realize that it was very similar to many other menstruates who hadn't received any prior education.The transformation that occurred and changed the menstruates' entire existence by designating them as a "impure" element in the society.

My Journey

So when I began to realize the problem and the taboos attached to periods that suffocated girls like me who, who were told to hush about the word behind the black polythene and doors away from the males in their family, be it their father, brother, or any other man in society. From there, I began speaking about the problem with menstruation. I then made the decision to become an advocate for it in an effort to try to make a small change by educating and spreading awareness, and being The Pad Project Ambassador is the first step toward my journey of awareness.

My Understanding

“Menstruation is not simply a term.”

Thus, it is important for many to understand that for the menstruates who go through it, menstruation is not simply a term; it is a phase of a cycle that they experience throughout their life, with the societal stigma and shame attached to it.