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OUR STORY
Healing Periods. Healing the Planet.
Born from a vision to make menstrual hygiene safe, sustainable and empowering.
30L+
Women & Girls Empowered
4,137
Villages Reached
280+
Rural Livelihoods Created
20+
National & Global Awards
INSPIRED BY
Mata Amritanandamayi (Amma)
"The beauty and charm of selfless love and service should not die away from the face of this earth. The world should know that a life of dedication is possible; that a life inspired by love and service to humanity is possible." — Mata Amritanandamayi (Amma)
Mata Amritanandamayi Math led by Amma, Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, adopted 100 villages across India in 2013 with the intention of developing them sustainably.
When the volunteers from Math reached the villages, they noticed that some of the social, economic problems were related to the lack of access to clean menstrual products.
Many children dropped out of school and were using unhygienic products during their periods.
THE INNOVATION
From Banana Farm to Healing Pad
A zero-waste journey that transforms agricultural residue into the world's most natural menstrual care product.
01
Banana Harvest
Banana trees bear fruit once, then are cut down. Their fibrous trunk, normally agricultural waste, which is our raw material.
02
Fiber Extraction
The pseudostem is processed to extract long, strong fibers with natural antimicrobial pathogenesis- related proteins.
03
Handcrafted by Women
Trained rural women in our satellite centres layer cotton, banana fiber, and PU to handcraft each pad with care.
04
Reaches You
Each pad lasts 2-3 years, replaces 200+ disposables, and arrives to heal your periods and the planet.
See how a simple idea grew into a movement for sustainable menstrual care.
THE JOURNEY
Milestones Along the Way
01
Inspired by Compassion
Guided by Amma's vision, Saukhyam was founded on the belief that health, dignity, and care should be accessible to all.
02
Building Awareness
Through education and community engagement, conversations around menstrual health began reaching more homes, schools, and communities.
03
Creating Sustainable Choices
The initiative expanded reusable menstrual solutions that support both personal wellbeing and environmental responsibility.
04
Strengthening Communities
Training, outreach, and local participation created opportunities for shared learning and collective action.
05
Growing a Movement
What began as a small initiative evolved into a wider movement supported by volunteers, educators, healthcare professionals, and communities.
06
Looking Ahead
Saukhyam continues to work toward a future where sustainable menstrual care becomes a natural and accessible choice for everyone.
Every sustainable choice begins with care—for ourselves, for others, and for the planet.
PURPOSE & DIRECTION
What Drives Us Every Day
OUR VISION
Reusables providing a wholesome period experience become the first choice for every menstruator everywhere.
A world where no woman compromises her health due to harmful chemicals, and where sustainable choices are the natural, affordable default.
OUR MISSION
Combat climate change, empower women, and transform lives through beautiful reusable menstrual pads.
All handcrafted by rural women using India's first banana fiber absorbent technology, at the intersection of health, ecology, and livelihood.
Zero Waste
100% biodegradable banana fiber & cotton
Women's Health
Chemical-free, healing periods for all
Empower Makers
Rural women earning dignified livelihoods
Climate Action
Eliminating 125+ kg of pad waste per woman
Toxin-Free
No dioxins, phthalates, or bleach, ever
Circular Economy
From agricultural waste to healing product
Our Journey
From Compassion To Collective Change
Every meaningful movement begins with a simple question: how can menstrual care become healthier, more sustainable, and more accessible for everyone?
01
Latest Journey
From research to a global movement, we continue working towards sustainable menstrual care, women's empowerment, and a zero-waste future.
- Sustainable menstrual solutions
- Community empowerment
- Climate responsibility
Together, we continue creating healthier lives, cleaner communities, and a more responsible future.
New Initiatives: Reach, Care & Heal
New initiatives focused on adolescent health, period education, and solving menstrual health challenges.
- REACH
- CARE
- HEAL Challenge
- Period awareness programs
02
03
Expanding Sustainable Menstrual Care
Production networks expanded, reaching more rural communities through government partnerships and local initiatives.
- Rural distribution and awareness programs
- Subsidized access for communities where affordability remained a challenge
Scaling Impact Through Partnerships
Saukhyam Foundation was established and began collaborations with state governments and rural livelihood missions to expand production and distribution.
- Partnerships with Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Karnataka, Telangana, and Kerala
- Larger production facilities developed
- Reusable pad standards introduced
04
05
Resilience During COVID-19
During the pandemic, production centers faced temporary challenges. The journey continued by rebuilding systems and strengthening local production models.
- Production restarted in Kerala
- Development of hub-and-spoke production model
Growing Awareness & Outreach
More communities, institutions, and partners joined the movement to promote reusable menstrual solutions.
- Expanding reach
- Increasing menstrual health awareness
06
07
Building Community Networks
Community training, awareness programs, and production networks expanded to make sustainable menstrual care accessible.
- Awareness workshops
- Community participation
World's First Banana Fiber Reusable Pads
Saukhyam introduced reusable pads made using banana fiber, an agro-waste material, creating a revolutionary approach to sustainable menstrual health.
- First reusable menstrual pads using banana fiber
- SHG groups trained in Uttar Pradesh and Telangana
- Promoting sustainable production practices through eco-friendly innovation
08
09
Launching Sustainable Reusable Pads
The first reusable menstrual pads were launched, creating a healthier and more sustainable alternative for menstruators.
- Introduction of reusable cloth-based pads
- Focus on affordable and eco-conscious menstrual care
The Beginning of Research & Innovation
Saukhyam began as a research project at Amrita University, supported by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. The mission was to discover an eco-friendly absorbent material that could replace tree-based cellulose used in sanitary products.
- Research on sustainable menstrual materials began
- Banana fiber identified as a natural absorbent solution
- Focus on health, environment, and dignity
10
OUR VALUES
What We Stand For
The principles that guide every initiative, partnership, and action at Saukhyam.
Sustainable Living
Encouraging responsible choices that help protect natural resources and reduce environmental impact.
Health & Wellbeing
Supporting menstrual care solutions that prioritize comfort, safety, and confidence.
Community Engagement
Creating opportunities for awareness, learning, and meaningful participation.
Circular Innovation
Promoting reusable and sustainable practices that encourage long-term positive change.
Environmental Responsibility
Working toward a future where everyday choices contribute to a healthier planet.
Dignity & Inclusion
Ensuring menstrual health is approached with respect, empathy, accessibility, and understanding.
🏆 RECOGNITION
Honoured For Meaningful Impact
Over the years, Saukhyam's work has been recognised by leading institutions, government bodies, healthcare organisations, and social impact platforms.
Women Transforming India Award
NITI Aayog
Honoured among transformative women leaders driving social innovation across India.
View Details →
Best Social Initiative on Menstrual Hygiene
Annual MHM Conference
Recognized for scalable, community-led menstrual health programs and sustainable solutions.
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Red Shakti Award
Club FM 93.5 Malayalam
Celebrated for empowering women through awareness, dignity, and grassroots impact.
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Best CSR Initiative on MHM Award
MHM India Summit
Acknowledged for partnerships that advance menstrual hygiene through responsible corporate action.
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Sheroes Recognition
Kerala Women's Commission
Honoured for leadership in women's health, dignity, and community transformation.
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Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar Samman
Kamala Power Women Awards
National recognition for meaningful contribution to menstrual health and social impact.
View Details →⊕ MEDIA & PRESS
Stories That Inspire Conversations
Saukhyam's journey has been featured across leading national and international media platforms highlighting sustainability, menstrual health awareness, community-driven impact, and social innovation.
YourStory
Meet Anju Bist Who Has Helped Over 5 Lakh Women Switch To Reusable Sanitary
In 2022, Anju Bist was among the 75 women who were honoured as 'Women Transforming India' by Niti Aayog, the apex public policy thinktank of the Government of India.
Read Story →
The New Indian Express
NITI Aayog honour for Kerala's Anju Bist - pad-woman of India
Anju and her team are the first in the world to make reusable menstrual pads from banana fibre, which comes from agro-waste.
Read Story →
BBC Hindi
केले के फ़ाइबर से बने सैनिटरी पैड्स क्यों हैं बेहद ख़ास?
पर्यावरण के लिए भी फायदेमंद बताए जा रहे ये पैड कैसे बनते हैं? जानिए इस वीडियो के ज़रिए.
Read Story →
People's Samachar
केले के रेशे बनने वाले सैनिटरी पैड बचाएंगे पर्यावरण
नया ज़माना नयी सोच | २ लाख से ज्यादा महिलाओं और युवतीयों ने पर्यावरण बचाने अपनाए रीयूसेबल पैड
Read Story →
The CSR Journal
Partnership with Pad-Woman of India for CSR initiative
Lumina Datamatics, announced its collaboration with Saukhyam and Anju Bist, popularly known as the Pad-woman of India.
Read Story →
Edexlive
These reusable sanitary pads made out of banana fibres offer an affordable alternative to women in rural India
Saukhyam is a sustainable menstrual hygiene product that allows women to be comfortable during their period while protecting nature as well.
Read Story →