Eco-Femme

Since its launch in 2010, the Auroville unit Eco Femme has grown from an idea to a thriving social enterprise with an international reach. Eco Femme washable cloth pads have become a popular item among Aurovillians, volunteers, and guests and are available for sale in 14 countries around the world and throughout urban India. Sales have more than doubled from the first quarter of this past year. About 50% of sales take place internationally, while 35% of sales happen in urban India, and the remaining 15% through non-governmental organizations (NGOs) or private partnerships with leaders interested in bringing washable cloth pads to the women with whom they work.

In April 2013, Eco Femme launched the Pad For Pad Programme, an educational outreach programme for schoolgirls, funded by international pad sales. Pad For Pad sessions include an explanation of the menstrual cycle, a discussion of menstrual hygiene products, information on the composition and environmental impact of disposable sanitary napkins, and a chance to reflect and ask questions in a safe environment. So far Eco Femme, in collaboration with other NGOs, has distributed 2,702 washable cloth pads to 637 school girls through 29 Pad For Pad sessions. Eco Femme is excited to continue partnering with NGO’s throughout the state and country to distribute and sell pads and to expand its environmental advocacy work.

For more information on Eco Femme products see 

ecofemme.org (http://ecofemme.org).