My Pad – Surma Business Tech

Project “My PAD”

Project “My PAD” stands as an initiative driven by Surma Business Tech Pvt. Ltd, dedicated to conducting a comprehensive review and initial mapping of Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management in Nepal. The global spotlight on menstrual health and hygiene within development and humanitarian sectors is growing, and MY PAD aims to play a pivotal role in spearheading this expansion throughout Nepal. With an expanding network of regional offices, a dedicated workforce, and passionate volunteers, Project MY PAD is committed to actively engaging in and reporting on menstrual health and hygiene initiatives across both development and humanitarian programs in Nepal. Recognizing menstruation as a natural process and a key indicator of reproductive health, MY PAD believes that it is a critical juncture for adolescent girls to gain essential knowledge about their bodies and overall well-being, marking their transition into womanhood, sexual activity, and reproduction. Sadly, many adolescent girls in Nepal face challenges in effectively managing menstruation due to their reluctance to discuss it openly. Limited access to information at home and in schools exacerbates this issue, leaving them with minimal understanding of the changes happening in their bodies and how to navigate them. Every day, approximately 290,000 women and girls in Nepal undergo menstruation, with a staggering 82% of Nepalese women in rural areas resorting to unhealthy and unhygienic management methods. Overcoming persistent taboos is a major hurdle for girls and women striving to manage their periods safely. Notably, the extreme practice of menstrual seclusion, known as CHHAUPADI, prevails in the Far and Mid-Western hilly and mountainous regions. This tradition mandates menstruating women to leave their homes and reside in a CHHAU GOTH (cowshed or hut). The MY PAD initiative aims to address these challenges and promote menstrual health and hygiene for a more informed and empowered community.

Sanitary Pad Vending Machine

It’s a mechanical device that dispenses sanitary napkins. Sanitary pad vending machines are an innovative solution providing affordable, private, and convenient access to feminine hygiene products for women in public spaces. It is an automated machine that allows women to obtain sanitary pads by inserting coins or cards. Some accept digital payments as well. It dispenses napkins of various sizes, absorption capacities, and brands.

The metal/steel machine contains separate bays for each product type and dispenses sealed napkin packs upon payment or as per the system programmed with. It is usually installed at public places like schools, colleges, offices, malls, clinics, train stations, etc. for easy access. The dispensed products are hygienically packed, avoiding infection risks from reuse.

Incinerator

This is a device specially designed to safely and effectively dispose of used sanitary pads. An incinerator is a facility equipment designed to burn waste material at high temperatures until it is reduced to ash. The primary purpose of incinerators is to efficiently destroy waste that would otherwise end up in landfills. They are enclosed units that isolate the burning of waste from the surrounding area for safety and environmental reasons. Modern incinerators are extremely regulated.

Benefits:

1) Hygienic Disposal:

Sanitary pads contain bodily fluids and can be breeding ground for germs and bacteria. Incinerating them can minimize the risk of contamination or spread of Disease.

2) Sterilization:

The waste is burned at very high temperatures, typically between 900-1200°C. This destroys toxic compounds and pathogens and reduces the mass and volume of waste considerably.

3) Environmental Friendly:

Traditional disposal system of used sanitary pads like burying and landfilled may directly affect the environment. Plus, it can’t be flushed too. Hence, incinerating pads can be major contribution to control environment pollutions.

4) Odor Control:

Disposing Used pad in Regular garbage bins and Toilets may spread Foul odors. Incinerating them eliminates the smell.

5) Convenient and Discreet:

Dedicated incinerator provides privacy and convenience in particularly in public places, school, offices etc. Ash residue left after burning can be disposed of in landfills or recycled in some cases. Metals may be recovered from bottom ash. Incinerators today are much safer and more regulated than historical municipal incinerators in terms of emissions and operation.