00:02In Sarmaspur Panchayat of Sakra Block, women have come together under the Jeevika initiative
00:09to manufacture affordable sanitary pads, creating livelihoods while challenging deep-rooted taboos
00:15around menstrual hygiene. At the center of this transformation is Gudiya Devi.
00:23When we learned of how many women were still using old cloth during menstruation,
00:29we realized this was not just about making a product, it was about protecting women's health and dignity.
00:36Gudiya's journey was far from easy. Marriage in 2006 and financial challenges
00:42meant her aspirations to do something for society had to be put on hold.
00:48In 2012, she joined a Jeevika self-help group and a decade later, awareness sessions on menstrual hygiene
00:56opened her eyes to the health risks faced by rural women, inspiring her to take action.
01:05I wanted to do something meaningful when I saw women struggling because of Lake of Awareness.
01:11I knew improving women's health had to become my mission.
01:16Along with other members, Gudiya underwent training in sanitary pad production,
01:21machine operation, packaging and quality control.
01:27Jeevika supported the group with training, subsidized machinery and a government building
01:32to establish a production unit.
01:35Today, 31 women work at the Sachi Saheli's Wawalambi, Sahakari Samo,
01:40producing between 2,500 and 3,000 sanitary pads every day.
01:49The production cost of one pad is around 3 rupees, but we never compromise on quality.
01:58Our pads can absorb up to 200 grams of fluid and match the standards of many premium brands.
02:05But manufacturing was only half the battle.
02:08Convincing women to use sanitary pads proved even more challenging.
02:16Many women had never even heard of sanitary pads.
02:20We went door to door explaining their benefits and the dangers of using clothes.
02:25Slowly, people began to understand and our product started sailing.
02:29Today, the sanitary pads are distributed through Jeevika Didis,
02:33village organizations, government welfare departments and NGOs.
02:38Among those whose lives have changed is Renu Devi.
02:42Once confined to household responsibilities,
02:44while her husband worked outside the state,
02:47she found a new purpose after joining the manufacturing unit
02:50during the COVID-19 period.
02:55I learned about the unit in our village and decided to get trained.
02:59Today, I work in production and contribute to my family's income.
03:03It has given me confidence and a sense of identity.
03:08The process begins with absorbent sheets,
03:11cotton pulp,
03:12tissue layers and leak-proof black sheets.
03:15Machines cut and assemble the materials before the pads are pressed into shape.
03:20Sanitize for 20 minutes and check for quality before packaging.
03:27Every batch goes through proper sanitization and quality checks.
03:31We understand how important hygiene is
03:34because these products directly impact women's health.
03:37For women like Gudia, Renu, Anita Devi and many others,
03:42the initiative has done more than generate income.
03:45It has given them financial independence,
03:48a voice in family decisions
03:49and a newfound sense of confidence.
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