Women With Disabilities in Kenya Earn a Living by Creating Eco-Friendly Sanitary Pads

In Kenya, where women often struggle to afford disposable sanitary pads, a group of disabled women is making a living by creating reusable sanitary pads. The Tunaweza Foundation, led by Charity Chahasi, is one such organization that has pioneered this innovative solution. In a country where people with disabilities often face negative attitudes and limited social support, Tunaweza’s initiative has not only created job opportunities but also brought sustainability to the sanitary products industry.

The reusable pads have many benefits. As Chahasi explains, they are cost-effective, “when I use it, you do not buy another pad, and it is used for three years… You can even buy another one after three years. In contrast, disposable pads must be replaced every month, making them a pricey and unsustainable option.” These eco-friendly pads also come with the added benefit of reducing waste and minimizing harm to the environment.

While Tunaweza’s innovation is a welcome relief to the women of Kenya, it has not been without challenges. The organization has to contend with manual machinery, transportation issues, and limited market access. “We have problems of transportation when we are going out for marketing the reusable sanitary pads… We are taking them to post offices to dispatch them to our clients,” explains Chahasi. Despite these hurdles, the foundation has managed to manufacture and distribute 3,000 pads in a single week during a good month.

The success of the initiative has not only positively impacted the lives of its 20 employees but has also earned the approval of its customers. Anne, a college student, testified that switching to Tunaweza’s reusable pads transformed her high school education, stating, “My high school education was hard when I was using the classic pads; I was not comfortable with them. It’s when I met a friend who told me about the group of women who make reusable sanitary pads, that I learned how to use them, how to wash and maintain them… Those pads changed my life!”

The environmental benefits of these reusable pads are plain to see. Unlike disposable pads, which break down into plastic waste and threaten our planet’s health, these eco-friendly pads eliminate this problem altogether.

With a growing demand for eco-friendly and sustainable products, the Tunaweza Foundation is paving the way for more innovative solutions. In an industry often plagued by expensive and wasteful sanitary products, this organization’s impact is a testament to the power of human creativity, perseverance, and resourcefulness.