Riha
sustainable menstruation through awareness and accessibility
In India, the inaccessibility of sanitary pads remains a significant challenge, particularly in rural and underprivileged areas. Despite advancements in health awareness and hygiene, millions of women and girls continue to face barriers in accessing affordable and safe menstrual products. This lack of access not only impacts their health and dignity but also perpetuates a cycle of social stigma, educational disruption, and gender inequality. Addressing the issue of sanitary pad availability is crucial for empowering women and ensuring their right to a healthy and dignified life.
How does Riha work?
Awareness: By generating awareness about healthy menstruation and the lesser-spoken (hushed) aspects around periods through educational material in vernacular languages.
Accessibility: By providing a budget-friendly, sustainable, and reusable pad (Riha Pads).
What has Riha made?
Riha - the Reusable Pad: The word ‘Riha’, means ‘freedom’ in Urdu, and through these pads, we envision freeing users from impacting the environment and from the vicious cycle of buying and using disposable pads. The sustainable and reusable Riha pads have been created by trained women beneficiaries from the Siragu community, keeping the highest standards of usability and hygiene in mind.
The unique-selling-proposition (USP) of Riha
Longevity
Lasts for more than 30 menstrual cycles (~3 years)
Sustainability
1/5th (one-fifth) of the cost of a disposable pad
Cost of Disposable Pads
INR 2016 over a span of 3 years (at INR 56 per month x 12 months, for 3 years)
Cost of Riha Pads
4 Riha pads cost only INR 350, and can be used for the same time period
Current Impact
500 +
Riha Pads
manufactured
1000 +
Menstruators
made aware
Project Partner: Paint It Red
Our project partner and consultant, Paint It Red, has been working extensively in the Menstrual Health Management sector for over X years. Paint It Red envisions creating a sustained space that includes educating, empowering, and engaging womxn in Indian society, especially marginalized and economically vulnerable sections, concerning menstruation.
Core Team:
Akanksha Sharma
Project Lead
Mehak Verma
Associate
Tanisha Gupta
Associate