Free Sanitary Pad Distribution Programs In India Helping Women In Need During The Lockdown

The COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for communities worldwide, with vulnerable populations facing disproportionate hardships. In India, one often overlooked issue is the accessibility of sanitary products for women, particularly those in rural and low-income households. During the lockdown period, many women have lost access to menstrual hygiene products due to economic constraints and limited mobility. This article examines the initiatives by Everteen and Kotik Foundation to provide free sanitary pads to women in need across India, highlighting how these programs work and how individuals can support them.

The Menstrual Hygiene Challenge in India

Menstrual hygiene remains a critical public health issue in India, with many women unable to afford or access sanitary products. The Pad Man movie, featuring superstar Akshay Kumar as social activist Arunachalam Muruganantham, brought attention to how women in rural India often resort to unhygienic methods such as rags and leaves during their periods. This practice poses significant health risks and undermines women's dignity.

The COVID-19 lockdown has exacerbated these challenges. Women from rural and low-income households who do not have access to e-commerce sites are finding it increasingly difficult to purchase sanitary pads. Many have lost their jobs and can no longer afford even low-cost sanitary products, forcing them back to using unhygienic alternatives. The situation has been compounded by the fact that many sanitary pad manufacturers have been forced to shut down or face shortages of materials needed to produce these essential items.

The shortage of affordable sanitary pads threatens to reverse the progress made in improving menstrual hygiene across India. According to available information, approximately 1 million women are in urgent need of access to free menstrual products during this challenging period.

Everteen's Free Sanitary Pad Distribution Programs

Everteen, one of India's leading sanitary napkin manufacturers, has launched two initiatives to address the menstrual hygiene crisis during the lockdown. The company has committed to distributing 1 million free sanitary pads to women affected by the lockdown, implementing a comprehensive approach to help women manage their periods with dignity.

Refer-A-Pad Option

The Refer-A-Pad program enables individuals to send free menstrual pad samples to women in need across India. Under this program, participants can request that a pack of 7 free pads be shipped by mail to any woman who requires them, subject to availability and lockdown relaxations. These pads can be sent to a recipient's maid or any other woman in need of sanitary products.

The process is straightforward and requires no payment from either the sender or the recipient. Everteen provides updates on the delivery status of the pads. As a token of appreciation for participating in this initiative, senders receive a flat 20% storewide discount on the Everteen store, allowing them to purchase feminine hygiene products at a reduced price.

The pads distributed through this program are Everteen XL Soft Sanitary Napkin Pads with Neem and Safflower, which feature 8-layer protection, 280mm extra-large pads, wide wings, an odour-locking gel-core system, and advanced leak protection. These natural sanitary napkins are designed to provide comfort and confidence during menstruation.

The pads are made with special considerations for women's health: - They have a cottony-soft top layer that prevents rashes and tanning - They are enriched with neem (Azadirachta Indica), known for its anti-irritant, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties - They contain safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) extract, which acts as a skincare lubricant and moisturizer, providing Vitamin E and antioxidant benefits

Everteen's manufacturing process is also noteworthy. The pads are produced using fully automated, touchless processes at one of India's most sophisticated manufacturing units, ensuring high hygiene standards, particularly important during the pandemic.

Sponsor-A-Pad Option

The Sponsor-A-Pad program represents a peer-to-peer effort to support the distribution of free sanitary pads across India. Recognizing that distributing a million sanitary napkins requires significant resources, Everteen has established a platform where individuals can contribute financially to this initiative.

Those willing to support the cause can donate any amount over Rs.100 through SheNeedsPad.com. This financial support enables Everteen to expand its distribution network and reach more women in need. The program emphasizes that even small contributions can make a meaningful difference in improving menstrual health outcomes for vulnerable women.

Kotik Foundation's Menstrual Health Initiative

The Kotik Foundation represents another significant effort to address menstrual hygiene challenges in India. The organization operates with a mission to break the taboo around menstruation and provide women with the necessary resources to manage their periods with dignity and without shame.

Sanitary Pad Distribution

The foundation provides high-quality sanitary pads that are comfortable, absorbent, and free of cost to women in underserved communities. These pads are made from high-quality materials that are gentle on the skin and free from harmful chemicals. The distribution program includes a range of sizes and absorbencies to suit every woman's needs.

Educational Workshops

Beyond providing physical products, the Kotik Foundation conducts educational workshops to help women and girls learn more about their menstrual cycle and how to manage it safely and hygienically. These workshops aim to build confidence around menstrual health and provide practical knowledge about hygiene practices.

Community Outreach

The foundation engages community leaders and members to raise awareness about menstrual health and foster supportive environments. This community-based approach helps normalize conversations about menstruation and reduces stigma associated with this natural biological process.

The Importance of Menstrual Hygiene Education

Both Everteen and Kotik Foundation recognize that providing free sanitary pads is only part of the solution. Education plays a crucial role in sustainable menstrual health management. By breaking the silence around menstruation and providing accurate information, these initiatives empower women to take control of their reproductive health.

Educational components help address several critical aspects: - Proper usage of sanitary products - Safe disposal methods - Maintaining menstrual hygiene - Recognizing and addressing potential health issues - Challenging cultural taboos and misconceptions

When women have access to both products and education, they are better equipped to manage their menstrual health with confidence and dignity.

How to Support These Initiatives

Individuals who wish to contribute to improving menstrual health outcomes in India can participate in these initiatives in several ways:

Participating in Everteen's Programs

1. Refer-A-Pad: Identify women in need of sanitary pads and use Everteen's program to send them free samples. This can be done directly through Everteen's platform, with the company handling the shipping and delivery.

2. Sponsor-A-Pad: Make a donation of Rs.100 or more through SheNeedsPad.com to support the distribution of free sanitary pads to women affected by the lockdown.

3. Raise Awareness: Support the menstrual health movement by:

   • Downloading and using campaign images as profile pictures on social media
   • Sharing articles about menstrual hygiene initiatives
   • Creating and sharing personalized video messages supporting the cause
   • Engaging with the Everteen community on the SHEROES only-women app

Supporting Kotik Foundation

While specific details about individual participation in Kotik Foundation's programs are limited in the provided sources, interested individuals can typically support such foundations through: - Monetary donations - Volunteering for distribution activities - Participating in awareness campaigns - Contributing to educational workshops

Conclusion

The accessibility of free sanitary pads represents a critical need for women in India, particularly during the COVID-19 lockdown. Initiatives by companies like Everteen and organizations like Kotik Foundation play a vital role in addressing this need by distributing free products while also working to break taboos around menstruation.

Everteen's dual approach of both referring and sponsoring pads allows individuals to participate in meaningful ways, whether by directly helping specific women or contributing to broader distribution efforts. The Kotik Foundation complements these efforts by combining product distribution with educational components that promote sustainable menstrual health management.

As these initiatives continue to expand, they represent not just a response to an immediate crisis but also a step toward long-term solutions that recognize menstrual hygiene as a fundamental health and dignity issue. By supporting these programs, individuals can contribute to ensuring that all women in India have the resources they need to manage their periods safely and with dignity.

Sources

1. Everteen Free Sanitary Pad Distribution Program
2. Kotik Foundation Menstrual Health Initiative