Unlocking safe period care for Re-Wrap artisans

350+ women in textile units in Karnataka, India have adopted the Asan cup in a menstrual health program sponsored by Re-Wrap. Every artisan is saving ₹13,000 and has averted 2,500 pads from landfill. They are each an ambassador for sustainable period care within their communities.

Led by purpose, Re-Wrap is dedicated to improving the lives of women and farming communities in India. Their products are created with 100% organic cotton grown using climate-resilient agriculture practices. The journey of each product is fully traceable all the way from ‘seed to shop.

Asan was excited to collaborate with Re-Wrap, as they are dedicated to providing a healthy, safe and inclusive workplace for all employees.

Understanding the context: Mysore and Gumballi

Due to a lack of affordable solutions, some women in Mysore and Gumballi rely on poor quality sanitary pads and cloth rags.

Women reported experiencing leaks and rashes while using bulky pads and cloth rags. Several women expressed that their periods cause stress and anxiety while at work. 

Furthermore, pads cost approximately ₹100 per period, which is a large household expense for many families.

There was therefore a need for a safe, affordable and sustainable menstrual health solution for women in Mysore and Gumballi.

Why is the Asan menstrual cup a good solution for artisans?

The Asan cup is particularly well suited to the needs of female artisans for the following reasons:

1. Affordable: A single Asan cup can be used for ten years, enabling each woman to save over ₹13,000 ($150) in this period.

2. Comfortable: The Asan cup holds three times more fluid than a pad and can safely be worn for 12 hours. Users cannot even feel that they are on their period.

3. Discreet: The cup is small and can easily be stored in private.

4. Better health: Those who switch to the Asan cup experience a reduction in rashes, discomfort, UTIs and reproductive tract infections.

5. Mobility: Daily tasks such as commuting and working are made easy during periods.

Menstrual cup ambassadors

The program was delivered in three stages. First, the Asan team delivered our menstrual cup training to key stakeholders at Re-Wrap, Production Manager and HR Lead.

These women acted as menstrual cup ambassadors. They tried the Asan cup themselves, experienced benefits such as working comfortably, and then began to promote the cup with artisans in the creative units.

This network effect, where women supported and motivated each other to try the Asan cup, led to the rapid adoption across their creative units in Mysore and Gumballi.

Program outcome

The main objective of this program is to positively impact the overall menstrual experience of creative unit workers.

After concluding the distribution and follow-up sessions across all three units, we were thrilled to find that 94% of artisans reported improved performance and efficiency at work when using the Asan cup.

72% of women expressed that they experience a reduction in stress and anxiety around periods while at work.

Benefits for the factory

Project impact

  • $54,600

    Saved on sanitary pads & vending machines

  • 13,650kg

    Plastic waste averted from landfills

  • 34 tonnes

    Reduction in CO2 emissions

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Stories of impact

Maheshwari

"This cup is really useful and not scary at all. My life is just better because of it, I can comfortably and freely roam around outside.

When I used to use pads and wear jeans, I would feel really uncomfortable and I would just not wear what I want. And if I wanted to wear a white dress, it would feel so stressful.

Now because of this cup it's so much better. I use it every time and I feel so good!"

Shilpa

"When I first used the Asan cup, I felt a little stressed but on day two it was so easy and comfortable. There are no problems at all!

Earlier, I used to get rashes but after I started using this cup, I feel nothing.

I can be free and comfortable when I go out, I can even swim and do anything I want, and wear whatever colour dress I want. I use it and so should you!"

We are extremely happy with the program outcome and would like to thank the team at Re-Wrap for their support.

If you would like to conduct a menstrual health program for your employees, get in touch with us.

Get in touch with us