innovation in Activewear propelling its steady growth

SUSTAINABILITY
Shahi Exports has done a remarkable job for menstrual hygiene management
EFFORTS TOWARDS WOMEN
WORKERS’ SAFE PERIOD CYCLE
IS A WIN-WIN FOR ALL
Around 6 million women operators
are working in the Indian apparel
manufacturing industry and 60 to 70
per cent of them belong to the age group
of 18+ to 40. Women operators are
more disciplined, are known for better
productivity and also have less turnover
rate but at the same time every month,
they struggle for 3-4 days due to their
menstrual cycle and it impacts them
physically as well as mentally. In the
research conducted by the University
College of London, menstrual cramps
have been described as ‘almost as bad
as having a heart attack’. Looking at
the seriousness of the issue, a few of the
apparel factories have taken note of this
Providing sanitary products
is essential but not a
complete solution. Women
workers’ approach also
needs to change as the
majority of women feel
that menstrual blood is
dirty or impure. Such and
other myths and taboos
need to change as Humjoli
Foundation has a perfect
motto Periods – Sharm
Nahi, Shamta Hai (Periods
are not a matter of shame
but are about potential)
and come up with noble initiatives to
support women. And they have achieved
good results too. These factories have
supported women with proper guidance
and regular availability of sanitary pads
(free/ or on subsidised rates), and period
leave but thousands of factories are there
which are still missing on this front.
Looking at the entire scenario and
diversity, the top priority should be to
make menstruation a normal subject,
so that anyone can talk about it from
the board room to the shopfloor
openly without any fear and hesitation.
Menstruation should be accepted as
a routine fact of life, with easy access
to period products and necessary
44 AO India | November 2022