Yoga Gives Back (YGB) | Nishtha | the Pad Project| The Trotula Fund
Menstrual health is not just a hygiene issue—it is a matter of dignity, education, equity, and women’s empowerment. From September 2024 through August 2025, the Nirman Pad Project, supported by Yoga Gives Back (YGB), The Pad Project, and the Trotula Fund, continued its vital work in South 24 Parganas, West Bengal, reaching thousands of girls and women who face monthly challenges rooted in stigma, poverty, and lack of access.
This year’s work reaffirmed a powerful truth: when women lead solutions for women, communities begin to change.
A Holistic Approach to Menstrual Equity
Implemented by Nishtha, a grassroots women’s organization with nearly 50 years of community leadership, the Pad Project combines:
- Menstrual health education that breaks taboos and builds confidence
- Affordable access to safe sanitary pads
- Women’s economic empowerment through production, outreach, and sales
- Community advocacy involving teachers, health workers, parents, boys, and local leaders
Together, these elements form a sustainable ecosystem—one that addresses immediate needs while building long-term change.
Impact at a Glance (Sept 2024 – Aug 2025)
- 22,000+ sanitary pads produced by women-led production teams
- 15,000+ pads distributed free of cost to vulnerable girls and women
- 6,600+ girls and women reached through schools, villages, and home visits
- 61 boys and men engaged to reduce stigma and foster allyship
- Women trained and employed in production, outreach, and early-stage sales
Despite repeated challenges—including raw material shortages and machine breakdowns—the project moved forward with resilience and purpose.
Breaking Silence, One Conversation at a Time
Across villages, schools, and households, Nishtha facilitators led group discussions, one-on-one counseling, door-to-door visits, and school sessions. These safe spaces allowed girls to ask questions openly—often for the first time—and helped mothers, teachers, and families better support menstrual health.
A notable milestone this year was the intentional inclusion of boys and young men, recognizing that lasting change requires shared understanding and responsibility.
The result? Early but meaningful shifts:
- Girls attending school more regularly during their periods
- Families speaking more openly about menstruation
- Communities welcoming awareness sessions instead of avoiding them
Women at the Center: Livelihoods & Leadership
The Nirman Sanitary Pad Production Unit remains the heart of the project. Women not only produce pads—they ensure quality, manage distribution, lead outreach, and are now beginning to participate in sales.
In August 2025, the project piloted small-scale pad sales, marking an important step toward sustainability and income generation. This transition empowers women as earners and entrepreneurs, while keeping pads affordable and accessible.
Case Study: Tapati Sardar — A Mother’s Determination
Tapati Sardar’s journey reflects the deeper impact of the Pad Project. A survivor of domestic abuse and abandonment, Tapati found support through Nishtha’s Sister’s Aid Program. She learned tailoring, earned her own income, and later joined the Pad Project as a sales agent.
Today, Tapati balances tailoring work with selling Nirman pads in her community—while supporting her son Rakesh, a promising science student preparing for medical school. Her story is not just about income; it is about dignity, courage, and hope for the next generation.
Challenges & Lessons Learned
This year was not without setbacks:
- Inconsistent access to quality raw materials
- Production slowdowns and machine breakdowns
- Persistent stigma in some communities
Yet each challenge strengthened the project’s resolve. By temporarily supplementing with retail pads, reinforcing quality checks, and maintaining consistent outreach, Nishtha preserved community trust and pad usage habits.
Looking Ahead: Building a Sustainable Future
The foundation has been laid. Girls and women trust the product. Communities recognize the need. Women are ready to lead.
The focus for the coming year:
- Restart and scale pad production with reliable raw materials
- Expand women-led sales and distribution networks
- Balance free distribution with sustainable revenue
- Deepen education and advocacy so silence never returns
With a strong network of Mahila Mandals and adolescent girls’ groups, the reach and commitment are already in place.
How You Can Help
The change underway is real—but it is also fragile. Continued support ensures that this momentum is not lost and that menstrual health becomes a right, not a privilege.
By supporting Yoga Gives Back’s Pad Project, you are investing in more than menstrual products—you are supporting education, women’s livelihoods, and long-term community transformation.
👉 Support the Pad Project through Yoga Gives Back
Your support helps to:
Keep girls in school by ensuring safe, affordable access to menstrual hygiene
Create sustainable livelihoods for women through pad production, outreach, and sales
Break generational stigma through education and community dialogue
Build dignity, confidence, and equity for women and girls across rural India
You can deepen your impact by exploring Yoga Gives Back’s interconnected programs—including the Pad Project, Sister’s Aid, and Sponsor a Girl initiatives—all designed to uplift women and girls at critical moments in their lives.
Together, we can ensure that every girl and woman can manage her period with confidence, safety, and pride—and step fully into her education, her work, and her future.
