#GoodNews: These Women in Assam are Smashing Menstruation Taboos

Helping break taboos, these women in an Assamese village are sewing up to 30 reusable sanitary napkins a day.

Women in an Assamese village are sewing up to 30 reusable sanitary napkins a day. 

(Photo: iStock)

Though mainstream Bollywood movies being made on the subject, menstruation in India still remains, for the large part, a taboo. However, in Pamohi – a small village in Assam – girls and women are not only confidently talking about their periods, they are also adapting to the hygienic practice of using reusable sanitary napkins.

The initiative to figure out a proper solution to menstruation for the women of the village was taken by a couple – Uttam Teron and Aimoni Tumung – who runs the Parijat Academy, a school for underprivileged children, reported VillageSquare.

The duo, who have been running the school for the past decade, have managed to not only get even men to contribute to awareness around menstruation, they have helped scores of women earn a livelihood by teaching them how to sew reusable sanitary napkins.

Uttam and Aimoni started the initiative in July 2017, when volunteers from Florida working on a social initiative campaign, ‘Days for Girls’, visited Parijat Academy, VillageSquare reported.

They were rather shocked seeing the poor health and hygiene of the girls and women in our neighbourhood.

Aimoni Tumung to VillageSquare

The volunteers helped teach 15 girls at the academy how to sew reusable pads, a skill which soon helped them earn a livelihood.

While each reusable sanitary napkin can be used for about three years, they are priced a tad bit steeply. Each reusable sanitary napkin costs Rs 110 (for the large size) and Rs 80 (for the regular size).

Considering that most of the villagers rely on farming as their main source of income, purchasing these napkins puts a dent on their savings, the report added.

However, the couple are looking to raise funds by mass-selling the sanitary napkins, and have said once they receive the funds, they can distribute the sanitary napkins for free among women who cannot afford it.

We are planning to distribute free reusable sanitary pads to around one lakh girls and women who cannot afford to buy them.

Uttam Teron to VillageSquare

Currently, the girls in the academy are stitching up to 30 pads a day, which can get them as much as Rs 3,000 a month.

(With inputs from VillageSqaure)