More than 50,000 young girls and women from underserved communities in over 130 villages and 14 cities across India enabled through menstrual health and hygiene initiatives
– Educational sessions through Gram Mitr and Pragati Mitr programs empower women on menstrual hygiene, helping dismantle stigma, creating sustainable livelihoods by enabling a circular ‘Gram’ or village economy, while fostering supportive environments
– The Prayatna sanitary pad manufacturing units are operated by women, for women, creating economic independence while transforming community attitudes about menstrual health.
Bengaluru, May 26, 2025: Amazon India today unveiled the next phase of its women’s health initiative during a media event at the Singahalli Community Center in Bengaluru. The program, which addresses period poverty through locally manufactured sanitary products, education, and entrepreneurship opportunities, will reach 200,000 women and girls by 2025. Currently operating four sanitary napkin manufacturing facilities in Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata, Amazon has already reached more than 50,000 women and girls from underserved communities across 130 villages and 14 cities. Through this initiative, Amazon will also support more than 500 women entrepreneurs by 2027, creating sustainable livelihoods while improving menstrual health access.
The sanitary napkin production units have a combined production capacity of 1,200 biodegradable sanitary napkins per hour, using fully automated, state-of-the-art machinery. All napkins are made from CPCB-approved, 100% biodegradable raw materials, offering a sustainable alternative in areas where plastic waste and lack of access to hygienic products remain major challenges. Women entrepreneurs operate the units with support from nonprofit partners Vyomini and She and We, with active engagement from ASHA workers, Anganwadi centers, and local Gram Panchayats.
Dr. Karuna Shanker Pande, Vice President of Amazon Logistics, India said, “Menstruation, a natural biological process, remains shrouded in secrecy and shame in many parts of India, and our unique programs are tackling this head-on,” said Dr. Karuna Shanker Pande, vice president of Amazon Logistics, India. “At Amazon, we are reimagining what it means to empower women by placing them at the heart of innovation, enterprise, and community transformation. This initiative goes beyond hygiene—it fuels economic opportunity, dismantles long-standing taboos, and builds local leadership. From access to action, we are enabling women to lead change for themselves and for generations to come.”
Amazon’s Gram Mitr and Pragati Mitr programs, launched in 2021, are essential to addressing menstrual health among young adolescent girls and women in communities. These local community ambassadors, trusted voices within their neighborhoods, lead informative sessions in schools, anganwadis (rural childcare centers), and self-help groups. These sessions cover critical topics including:
Healthy Practices: Encouraging hygienic practices during menstruation, including the importance of sanitary pads or clean cloth, proper hygiene maintenance, and focus on diet and nutrition;
Dispelling Myths: Challenging misconceptions and taboos surrounding menstruation, fostering open conversations about a natural biological process;
Building Supportive Environments: Connecting women and girls with healthcare resources through ASHA and Anganwadi workers, ensuring access to essential healthcare services.
To date, 60 women have gained direct employment and another 200 are indirectly engaged as sales champions, these women are expected to earn a gross profit of approximately INR17000 per month while taking care of their household responsibilities and taking flexible working hours. Participants complete a comprehensive training program focused on entrepreneurship development. The curriculum includes four key modules: awareness generation and behavior change, product marketing and sales, machine operations, and financial management. This holistic approach equips women with both leadership skills and practical business knowledge, including specialized education on menstrual hygiene. Beyond employment, the initiative builds long-term entrepreneurial capacity and strengthens community leadership. Amazon has supported the installation of sanitary napkin vending machines and incinerators in more than 50 schools. Community engagement continues to expand through a network of 243 trained community champions working door-to-door to challenge menstrual stigma and promote health awareness.
