Pune: This International Women’s Day, IGF is not just launching a campaign – we are amplifying the voices of countless women who deserve to live without shame, fear, or limitations simply because of a natural biological process. Through our Empower Her initiative, we are working to ensure that every woman, no matter where she is from or what her circumstances are, has access to the one thing that is fundamental to her health, dignity, and freedom: sanitary napkins.
In many parts of India, menstruation is more than just a part of life. For countless women, it’s a barrier that impacts their daily lives in painful, often invisible ways. In rural communities, where access to menstrual products is scarce, girls and women often rely on unhygienic alternatives—rags, leaves, even mud. These substitutes not only fail to protect them but also expose them to severe health risks like infections and long-term reproductive issues. For young girls, who often experience the onset of menstruation at a much younger age than before, the absence of proper hygiene products makes this natural milestone a source of anxiety, embarrassment, and isolation.
Imagine a young girl walking to school, her heart racing because she knows she doesn’t have what she needs. She hopes and prays that no one notices, but without access to sanitary products, she’s left to navigate the day with uncertainty. Or picture a woman, prepared to face a big interview or an important meeting, but when her period unexpectedly starts, she is forced to miss her opportunity because she doesn’t have a pad. These moments of discomfort, distress, and missed chances are all too real.
Empower Her isn’t just a program—it’s a movement to break the silence, shatter the stigma, and give every girl and woman the right to live, work, and learn without fear of menstruation standing in her way. Every girl deserves the right to attend school without the risk of missing out on education. Every woman deserves to participate fully in her career and personal life. No one should be made to feel unworthy, excluded, or diminished because of something as natural as menstruation.
Key Achievements:
• Over 10.3 million sanitary pads distributed across India, reaching women in need.
• 66,239 menstrual cycles supported with hygiene kits.
• 1 million pads distributed monthly through vending machines at over 100 high-traffic stations across Northern India Railways, with plans to expand nationwide.
What Empower Her Does:
- Awareness Campaigns: Through heartfelt workshops and counseling sessions, we strive to reach communities, schools, and especially boys and men, to help erase the deep-rooted taboos and misconceptions surrounding menstruation. Together, we can normalize this conversation and ensure that no woman ever feels ashamed.
- Essential Hygiene Kits: Empower Her provides curated hygiene kits, which include 216 sanitary pads, undergarments, soap, educational materials, and a sling bag, allowing women to manage their menstrual health with dignity.
- Sanitary Vending Machines: We’ve installed over 100 sanitary pad vending machines in women’s washrooms at busy railway stations, giving women the freedom to access pads any time they need them—no questions asked.
CEO’s Message:
“At IGF, we believe no woman should ever be held back by something as natural as menstruation,” says Sundeep Talwar, CEO & Philanthropic Advisor of IGF. “Empower Her is not just about providing products; it’s about ensuring that every woman has the opportunity to live, learn, and work without barriers.”
This International Women’s Day, join us in standing together for the empowerment of women and girls everywhere. We can make a real difference, one pad at a time. Visit www.impactgurufoundation.org to learn more about how you can contribute to this vital cause. Together, we can give every woman the opportunity to thrive.
