Increase Access to Menstrual Products in Hyderabad, India

Join us in making a sustainable difference. $5 alone can supply 2 reusable menstrual pads that last 4-5 years each. Your support can change lives.

Our Background & Objective

As daughters of Indian immigrants, we have witnessed firsthand the harsh reality of menstrual health issues faced by women in India. With no more school commitments after graduation, we saw this as our opportunity to make a meaningful impact.

We have chosen to start this journey of global direct service and advocacy in Hyderabad, India, as a tribute to our roots. With a population of over 1.4 billion, India is the largest populated country in the world. According to the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), nearly 65 million women live in slums, and shockingly, only 12% of these women have access to sanitary pads, as reported by the Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Recognizing the complexity and magnitude of the issue, we launched a direct-service and advocacy crowdfunding initiative called Project FLOWer to address global menstrual poverty. Our objective is divided into two main components: advocacy and direct service. The first component aims to tackle the issue at its root by targeting stigma early on through educating younger generations. The second component focuses on providing eco-friendly, reusable sanitary pads.

How?

Direct Service

During our initial visit, we will collaborate with local NGOs who are well-acquainted with the area to identify vulnerable and underserved shelters. These facilities often lack financial stability and are not widely recognized by locals or are overshadowed by more prominent and well-funded organizations.

Once we have addressed the needs of these unrecognized shelters, we will shift our focus to villages housing tribal communities, who are frequently overlooked. Upon reaching both locations, we will carry out our outreach plans made with local NGOs prior to the mission and distribute menstrual products accordingly. Our goal is to collect $5000, which will allow 500 women/girls to have healthy and eco-friendly menstrual care for 3-5 years. Our partnership with local NGOs will emphasize building personal connections to create a safe and supportive environment.

This approach will foster trust, making individuals feel more comfortable sharing their health concerns. By establishing a nurturing atmosphere, we aim to provide the best possible care and effectively raise awareness about menstrual health issues. Our goal is to create a lasting impact not only through immediate assistance but also by promoting sustained health awareness and positive change within these communities.

Advocacy

The main driving force behind our objective is the education of healthy lifestyle practices/mindsets, and it won’t be easy. Attempting to eliminate stigma and create a changing mindset that's been upheld and justified for years by society and families is no quick task.

Understanding this reality, our first priority target audience is children: young girls and boys. Utilizing a curriculum curated to educate in a manner that acknowledges and is respectful of their social and religious culture, we will partner with local NGOs and educate children and young adults.

This curriculum has already been created and utilized in schools in Hyderabad with a positive reaction by The Mitta Foundation, which was generous enough to allow access and permission to use on our mission. All transportation fees to travel to the schools and locations are out of pocket; donations will be strictly used for the purchasing of menstrual products.

Where Funds Go

Our commitment to transparency and efficiency is paramount. All monetary funds will go towards the purchasing of menstrual products only. These products are reusable menstrual pads that come from a variety of local companies in the Hyderabad area.

We also accept donations in the form of eco-friendly product orders, which SochGreen has been generous enough to already do. Transportation costs are fully independent and out-of-pocket, ensuring that every dollar contributed directly benefits the people in need. This approach reinforces our dedication to the cause and assures our donors that their contributions are making a tangible impact.

Thank you for believing in our cause.

Sincerely,

Project FLOWer Team