Empowering Rural Women: A Sanitary Pad Distribution Initiative

In a noteworthy stride towards enhancing menstrual hygiene and supporting women’s health in rural communities, Mukti, in collaboration with the Kolkata Foundation, launched a sanitary pad distribution initiative on 20th May 2025. This vital effort aims to equip local village health workers with sanitary pads to be distributed within their communities, thereby ensuring access to essential menstrual hygiene products for women and adolescent girls in underserved areas.

At the heart of this initiative is the recognition of the critical role that community health workers play in bridging healthcare gaps in rural regions. By empowering them with resources and knowledge, Mukti seeks to create a ripple effect — enabling women to access affordable and hygienic menstrual care while breaking long-standing taboos and misconceptions surrounding menstruation.

The distributed sanitary pads will be made available to the rural population at a very nominal cost, maintaining both dignity and accessibility. This approach not only helps address the economic barriers many women face but also encourages sustained, stigma-free conversations around menstrual health.

For many women in remote villages, lack of access to proper menstrual products often results in the use of unsafe alternatives, leading to infections, discomfort, and in severe cases, long-term health consequences. This initiative seeks to reduce those risks by ensuring consistent and hygienic solutions are within reach.

Mukti remains committed to empowering rural women and promoting health equity. Through continued partnerships and community-led efforts, the organization strives to create a future where every woman can manage her menstruation with safety, dignity, and confidence.