Empowering Women Through Entrepreneurship and Education

As a woman, I do not enjoy the routine expense of feminine hygienic products. Let's be honest. I would rather spend that cash on groceries or a movie. However, imagine the availability of these products to be much more scarce and much more taboo. As noted in the articles, many women end up using and reusing rags without allowing them to dry or they find leaves rather than purchasing the expensive lady gear (money better spent on feeding their families)--this is both uncomfortable and has the capacity for longterm health problems.

Arunachalam Muruganantham (in India) decided to create a machine that could be used in rural areas to make sanitary napkins inexpensively and locally. Now, this machine is becoming a big hit in rural areas of India. The availability of these pads have also begun work on unweaving the shame and embarrassment that the cultural's view of the menstrual cycle creates. 

A women's school in one part of rural India now uses this machine to give women the opportunity to learn, but also to help fund their school. Providing education for women is a HUGE deal and the fact that they now have a way to provide for themselves and create a legacy for future women learner's is an empowering and inspirational thing. 

 ...while making their lives and the community better, they also wean themselves off financial dependence on men. (Murphy, 2010)

If you haven't yet seen these articles on NPR, I greatly encourage your perusal! In addition, the story of Muruganantham is now being told through a documentary- I can't wait to check it out.