It’s one thing when you’re running low on, um, sanitary napkins, to go without-it’s quite another to use mud or bark in place of one. According to Sustainable Health Enterprises (SHE), this is true for many girls and women, who have to miss around 50 days of school or work because they don’t have access to sanitary napkins and their substitute ‘pads’ are usually ineffective, unhygienic and dangerous.
Sustainable Health Enterprises is attempting to combat the issue through its first franchise launched in Rwanda earlier this year. Operated by women, the franchise manufactures and distributes low-cost sanitary pads, which are made of local raw materials to help stimulate the local economy. Read more about SHE by visiting the links below.
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Low-cost Sanitary Products
- There is an opportunity for disruptive innovation in developing low-cost and sustainable sanitary products.
- Local Raw Materials
- By utilizing local raw materials, there is potential for disruptive innovation in supporting local economies and reducing environmental impact.
- Feminine Hygiene Education
- There is a need for disruptive innovation in providing comprehensive education on feminine hygiene and promoting access to sanitary products.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Feminine Hygiene
- The feminine hygiene industry can explore disruptive innovation opportunities in developing affordable and sustainable menstrual products.
- Sustainable Manufacturing
- The manufacturing industry can explore disruptive innovation opportunities by incorporating local raw materials and sustainable practices in producing sanitary pads.
- Education and Training
- The education industry can leverage disruptive innovation to provide comprehensive education and training on feminine hygiene and menstrual health.
