Features
Freedom from Fear
When Sanitary Cloth Pads Reached the Villages
May 2018
Reportage of how Saukhyam Reusable Cloth Pad was launched to the villages in January 2017. First there were four tailors, and then in the next village four more joined. In the third village five ladies heard about the course and attended. As the word spreads, many more are expressing their interest in learning about sanitary cloth pad stitching. Veena, from Kodur village in Telangana, recalls the first time she heard about stitching reusable sanitary napkins. “It was when Rupali, the Amrita SeRVe tailoring teacher, came here,” she says. The Amrita SeRVe village coordinator had gathered together the tailors, who came prepared with sewing machines and needles, and most importantly, an enthusiastic attitude. These women were members of a Self Help Group (SHG) that had been given an order for hundreds of sanitary pads. Their goal was not only to generate income, but to spread an ecological awareness of the value of reusable sanitary pads. Already in the habit of sharing new tailoring ideas, they were eager to pass on the concept behind this environmentally friendly cloth pad, “Saukhyam.”
Group Share: Sanitary Pads and Menstrual Issues
Discussion flows naturally while stitching. “Many people use disposable sanitary napkins, which create garbage, so this Saukhyam model is better for the earth,” says Sujata. Veena remarks that cattle, which wander freely in the village, may eat the thrown away items, so these need to be burned. She reminds that burning plastic pollutes the air. Sujata adds that this reusable sanitary pad saves money on yearly expense. For the cost of disposable napkins is much greater than used materials such as cotton bed sheets and broken umbrella cloth for leak proof material. “And this low cost can aid in the transition from disposable to reusable sanitary napkin,” she concludes. “Society will change its mentality with an awareness of health benefits,” Veena says. All the tailoring women agree that women will start to use reusable sanitary pads when awareness on health, hygiene and proper usage is gained. One aspect of an awareness session is personal hygiene: when and how to wash the used cloth pad and how to dry it in the sunlight to keep it clean and hygienic. Another aspect of this session, especially for girls, is about going to school during menses rather than staying home and falling behind. With this awareness, girls can continue studying without skipping classes 3-5 days a month or ending their education altogether. Throughout history, many customs have disallowed women from fully participating in life during menses. One woman explains that in her village a woman is not allowed to cook or handle the drinking water in some households. Another adds that women are not permitted to go to the temple or touch the deity statues during menses. In some places women are even required to stay in separate spaces. When it comes to changing traditions on menstrual issues, however, there is always some resistance. Some elderly women have expressed their discontent about the sanitary pad stitching movement. “But they don’t know about the modern plastic disposable napkins, which are causing such waste problems,” Sujata explains. For long before the advent of disposable napkins, cloth was used. Today the younger generation is adaptive when tradition faces the needs of modern times. However, while disposable plastic items, adopted from Western cultures, may offer convenience, they wreak havoc upon India’s land and waters. It was time for an awareness session for the girls of Kodur village, who seemed genuinely interested. “How much does it cost?” one young woman wanted to know. “No cost at all when you use your own materials!” came the reply. “Then I want to learn to do it!” the girl concluded.