Know more about the profound impact of our initiatives as we empower women with life-changing skills to produce affordable and eco-friendly reusable sanitary napkins. Through the implementation of pad banks, we've significantly reduced school absenteeism among girls, ensuring they can continue their education uninterrupted. Additionally, our educational booklet raises awareness among women and girls about safe and clean menstrual hygiene practices, fostering a culture of health and well-being.
Shaathi Foundation has produced 90,000 reusable sanitary napkins in Dhaka and reached more than 50,000 women across all eight divisions of Bangladesh since 2021. Each pad lasts at least a year, costs roughly three times less than disposables over its life, and avoids an estimated 150 kg of menstrual waste per person.
90,000
reusable sanitary napkins produced in Dhaka
Shaathi Foundation programme data, 2021–2025
50,000+
women reporting improved menstrual health and hygiene
Shaathi Foundation programme data, 2021–2025
8
divisions of Bangladesh reached
Shaathi Foundation distribution records
1 year
minimum service life of a Shaathi pad with proper care
Shaathi Foundation product specification
200
additional schools to receive pad banks
Safe Haven project plan, next three years
10,000
more girls whose school absenteeism the project aims to reduce
Safe Haven project plan, next three years
150,000
girls to be reached with safe, clean, sustainable menstrual products
Shaathi Foundation commitment, by 2030
Rani Shaha, a participant at the Menstrual Hygiene Management Awareness Training at Dumuria, Khulna, shared her story of how her life changed after using Shaathi reusable pads. Now in her early twenties, she spent most of her adolescence in hiding at home during her menstrual cycle due to her inability to afford high priced disposable pads, resulting in the use of unsanitary clothes for her menstruation.
After being introduced to Shaathi reusable pads, Rani Shaha is able to manage her period conveniently and hygienically, liberating her from the menstrual stigma and discrimination that prevails. Rani Shaha now confidently steps out of her house during her menstrual cycle without the fear of being judged, as Shaathi reusable pads give her the menstrual protection she needs.


Rani Shaha, a participant at the Menstrual Hygiene Management Awareness Training at Dumuria, Khulna, shared her story of how her life changed after using Shaathi reusable pads. Now in her early twenties, she spent most of her adolescence in hiding at home during her menstrual cycle due to her inability to afford high priced disposable pads, resulting in the use of unsanitary clothes for her menstruation.
After being introduced to Shaathi reusable pads, Rani Shaha is able to manage her period conveniently and hygienically, liberating her from the menstrual stigma and discrimination that prevails. Rani Shaha now confidently steps out of her house during her menstrual cycle without the fear of being judged, as Shaathi reusable pads give her the menstrual protection she needs.

Shaathi is a dynamic women-led organization dedicated to transforming menstrual health and empowering communities. At the heart of our mission are the incredible women who lead our fieldwork, going door-to-door to raise awareness about safe and clean menstrual hygiene practices. They are not just spreading knowledge—they are fostering change. By selling Shaathi’s eco-friendly reusable pads, they are providing sustainable solutions and directly impacting the lives of countless women.
But our impact goes beyond awareness. In the urban slums of Dhaka, these women are teaching others to sew their own reusable pads, a skill that not only helps reduce menstrual waste but also opens doors to financial independence. By equipping women with the tools to earn and thrive, Shaathi is creating a ripple effect of empowerment and sustainability, turning education into economic opportunity and making a tangible difference in the communities we serve.

Their collective efforts have resulted in the production of an impressive 90,000 sanitary napkins, meticulously crafted with care and compassion. These napkins, available in three varieties, have not only reached every corner of Bangladesh but have also extended their impact beyond borders. In times of need, such as during the earthquake in Turkey, Shaathi Foundation donated sanitary napkins to provide comfort and support to affected women.

Shaathi Foundation's work transcends mere numbers, leaving an enduring imprint on the lives of women and communities. By promoting improved menstrual health, they contribute to enhanced overall well-being and environmental sustainability through the use of reusable napkins. Most importantly, their initiatives empower women, granting them financial stability and agency over their lives.

The impact of Shaathi Foundation's initiatives is nothing short of transformative. Over 50,000 women have experienced improved menstrual health and hygiene, thanks to the distribution of these napkins. Furthermore, the foundation's advocacy efforts have sparked vital conversations and raised awareness about Menstrual Health and Hygiene (MHH) among women, breaking age-old taboos and fostering a culture of openness.
For Shaathi Foundation, success is measured not only by quantifiable metrics but by the profound impact on individuals and society. Their metric of success revolves around three guiding principles:
We plan to install pad banks in an additional 200 schools over the next three years,aiming to reduce school absenteeism for 10,000 more girls. By ensuring that girls have access to necessary menstrual hygiene products, we will continue to support their uninterrupted education and overall well-being.


We plan to install pad banks in an additional 200 schools over the next three years,aiming to reduce school absenteeism for 10,000 more girls. By ensuring that girls have access to necessary menstrual hygiene products, we will continue to support their uninterrupted education and overall well-being.

We aim to train an additional 1,000 women and girls in the production of reusable sanitary napkins through our "Give Women the Gift of Independence" project. By expanding our training programs to other major slums and underserved areas in Bangladesh, we will empower more women with the skills to generate income and promote sustainable menstrual hygiene.

We aim to train an additional 1,000 women and girls in the production of reusable sanitary napkins through our "Give Women the Gift of Independence" project. By expanding our training programs to other major slums and underserved areas in Bangladesh, we will empower more women with the skills to generate income and promote sustainable menstrual hygiene.
Our goal is to educate 1,50,000 more women and girls on safe and clean menstrual hygiene practices within the next five years. We will distribute our educational booklets and conduct awareness sessions in both urban and rural areas, ensuring that every girl understands her body and is prepared for her menstrual cycle. Additionally, we plan to train another 500 young men and women as community educators through our partnership with Volunteer for Bangladesh (VBD).


Our goal is to educate 1,50,000 more women and girls on safe and clean menstrual hygiene practices within the next five years. We will distribute our educational booklets and conduct awareness sessions in both urban and rural areas, ensuring that every girl understands her body and is prepared for her menstrual cycle. Additionally, we plan to train another 500 young men and women as community educators through our partnership with Volunteer for Bangladesh (VBD).

We will work closely with schools and colleges to integrate menstrual health education into their curriculum. By partnering with educational institutions, we aim to create a supportive environment where menstrual health is openly discussed, and proper hygiene practices are taught.

We will work closely with schools and colleges to integrate menstrual health education into their curriculum. By partnering with educational institutions, we aim to create a supportive environment where menstrual health is openly discussed, and proper hygiene practices are taught.
We plan to increase the adoption of reusable sanitary napkins by reaching 150,000 women and girls. Through awareness campaigns and product distribution, we will emphasize the benefits of reusable sanitary napkins for both personal health and environmental sustainability.


We plan to increase the adoption of reusable sanitary napkins by reaching 100,000 women and girls. Through awareness campaigns and product distribution, we will emphasize the benefits of reusable sanitary napkins for both personal health and environmental sustainability.

Recognizing the importance of financial literacy in empowering individuals and communities to make informed financial decisions and achieve financial independence, Shaathi Foundation is in the process of developing a comprehensive financial literacy program tailored specifically for underprivileged women. This initiative involves extensive research and consultation with financial experts, community leaders, and potential beneficiaries to design a curriculum that addresses the unique needs, challenges, and aspirations of the target audience. Through partnerships with financial institutions, NGOs, and grassroots organizations, Shaathi Foundation aims to deliver workshops, training sessions, and educational resources that equip women with essential financial skills, knowledge, and confidence. By promoting financial inclusion and empowerment, the foundation seeks to create pathways to economic stability and prosperity for underprivileged women and their families, fostering greater resilience and self-reliance within the communities it serves.

Recognizing the importance of financial literacy in empowering individuals and communities to make informed financial decisions and achieve financial independence, Shaathi Foundation is in the process of developing a comprehensive financial literacy program tailored specifically for underprivileged women. This initiative involves extensive research and consultation with financial experts, community leaders, and potential beneficiaries to design a curriculum that addresses the unique needs, challenges, and aspirations of the target audience. Through partnerships with financial institutions, NGOs, and grassroots organizations, Shaathi Foundation aims to deliver workshops, training sessions, and educational resources that equip women with essential financial skills, knowledge, and confidence. By promoting financial inclusion and empowerment, the foundation seeks to create pathways to economic stability and prosperity for underprivileged women and their families, fostering greater resilience and self-reliance within the communities it serves.