Low cost sanitary pads for Africa

Seventy percent of girls and women in Kenya cannot afford sanitary pads which retail at USD1.02 per packet. During menstruation, they use unhygienic means like old mattresses, traditional leaves and papers, which expose them to infection. Girls are also unable to attend school during their periods. Binti Africa Foundation (BAF) produces affordable sanitary pads which retail at less than $ 1 US per packet for low income, mostly rural populations. Binti sanitary pads have been designed with breathable materials, and hinge around the traditional concept of babys napkins. Pads are produced in rural villages by women who, due to the gender burden, are unable to get out of the home to work in income generating activities. Producing the pads in the village setting therefore gives them a chance to improve their income, and creates ownership, which ensures sustainability. Over the past year, Binti sanitary pads have enabled 50% of rural girls in select schools