Well, the generation that is coming up, the newer lot, might have already started facing the wrath of environment as a repercussion to the harm the earlier generations have done to it and so, they are the ones actually coming up with inventive ways to help the environment.

A student of Class 11th, Dhanya Indraghanti, from Andhra Pradesh shares how using sanitary napkins made of cloth helped her contribute towards protecting the environment as well as made her feel empowered. She said, “It simply blew my mind! It was softer than the disposable pads I used, and it made me feel empowered. For once I knew how many risks I was eliminating by switching from those chemical-laden, plastic-y pads.”

Even though the idea of cloth made sanitary pads is very primary, not many know about its benefit! Indraghanti learnt about it when she was in 9th grade from her school teacher and got so fascinated by the concept that she resolved to find cloth pads during her holidays from boarding school. Just as simultaneously things fell in place to be better, while she was intrigued by the concept, her sister realized that the plastic used for making disposable sanitary napkins ends up in landfills and takes over 700 years to decompose. Since they were based in Riyadh at that time, buying EcoFemme or Uger cloth pads was not an option and so, they decided to make their own pads. Indraghanti’s mother made the first pad from an old cotton skirt and the soaking layers were cut out from an old pair of pajamas, with a backing of velour.

Unfortunately, later when she joined her school back after summer vacation, she had to switch back to the plastic sanitary pads because of the people around. She had to face difficulties as people got grossed out and complained.

“The experience made me realise that many women all over the world live with the constant fear of people judging them for their basic biological needs – so much so that there are over 3,000 euphemisms for the word menstruation. Women live their lives hiding from their own bodies,” she said. However, She did not give up and further plans to work for the same, “This school year, I plan to conduct workshops for girls at my school, as well as in the villages around us, so that everyone can learn how to sew their sanitary napkins.”

There is a need of proper sanitation around the world and also for the women who cannot avail it easily. Indraghanti’s cloth napkin aims to meet the same need. Besides, anyone and everyone can benefit from it, including environment!

It has a scope of experimentation in terms of size and also, depending on one’s flow, the soaking towel’s length can be increased or decreased.
They’re healthier because they are not made of plastic and chemicals, which are proven to cause various diseases and allergies.
They save money.
They’re way more comfortable.

You can also make your own eco-friendly pads! Learn:

Materials Required: cotton cloth, a needle and some thread

Procedure: Draw the template of a pad that fits you well and use it to cut a piece of cloth. The backing of the pad can be cut out of velour, but the same cotton piece can also be used if velour is not available. Use another material, preferably towelling, make a strip to soak the blood. The width and the length of the towelling material may vary, depending on the flow. It has to be stitched onto the front cotton piece in a zigzag manner. Zigzag stitching helps keep the inner soaking layer from moving. The back and front should be stitched together and two snap fasteners should also be sewed. All the stitching has to be done on the wrong side of the cloth. Pre-wash and the pad is ready for use.

A single act in the right direction, when performed by multiple, can cause ripple effect. So, learn and pass it on!

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