Hybrid Sanitary Napkin for Economic Change

About the Project

The project develops sanitary pads with reusable and disposable parts. The design considers water scarcity and waste disposal in Dzaleka, alongside opportunities for refugee women to produce and sell the pads.

The Challenge

• Girls miss 4-5 school days monthly during menstruation
• 300 instructional days lost before age 18 (1.5 school years)
• Severe water shortage limits reusable pad effectiveness
• Disposable pads often traded for food
• Limited waste disposal options

Innovation Solution

Hybrid Pad Design

• Part reusable, part disposable construction
• Significantly reduced water requirements
• Minimized disposable waste
• Patent-pending technology
• User-centered design with three iterations

Economic Empowerment

• Production training for refugee teens
• Local manufacturing capability
• Sales and distribution opportunities
• Sustainable income generation
• Skills development

Impact and Achievement

Production Milestones

• 1,000 pads produced and distributed
• 200 women served with menstrual solutions
• 18 teen girls trained in production
• 600 additional pads ordered by NGOs

Community Benefits

• Improved school attendance
• Enhanced economic independence
• Better menstrual health management
• Reduced environmental impact
• Local capacity building

Future Development

The project continues to expand through:

• NGO partnerships in Malawi
• Increased production capacity
• Menstrual health education programs
• Extended market reach
• Ongoing product refinement