BENGALURU, May 26, 2025 — In a significant push towards improving menstrual health and gender equality, Amazon India announced plans to reach 200,000 women and girls across India by 2025 through its ongoing menstrual hygiene and empowerment programs. The announcement was made at a community outreach event held at the Singahalli Community Center in Bengaluru.
The initiative, which currently operates in over 130 villages and 14 cities, has already reached more than 50,000 women and girls from underprivileged backgrounds. Through local manufacturing units, education sessions, and community engagement, the program focuses on addressing period poverty, eliminating stigma, and promoting sustainable livelihood opportunities.
At the core of the effort are Amazon’s Gram Mitr and Pragati Mitr programs—grassroots outreach models where trained community ambassadors educate young girls and women on menstrual hygiene, debunk cultural myths, and create safe and supportive spaces for open dialogue.
“Menstruation is still cloaked in silence in many parts of India. Our initiative redefines empowerment by placing women at the center of innovation and enterprise,” said Dr. Karuna Shanker Pande, Vice President, Amazon Logistics, India. “This is not just about menstrual health—it’s about creating pathways to economic independence and community leadership.”
Amazon currently runs four sanitary pad manufacturing units in Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata. These women-led units, supported by NGOs Vyomini and She and We, use fully automated machinery to produce 1,200 biodegradable pads per hour. All products are made using CPCB-approved, eco-friendly materials, addressing both menstrual hygiene and environmental sustainability.
The program has also begun empowering women economically. To date, 60 women have been employed directly, while another 200 serve as community sales representatives. These women, many of whom balance household responsibilities, are earning up to ₹17,000 per month through flexible work. Training modules provided include financial literacy, machine operations, health education, and marketing.
In addition, the initiative has helped install vending machines and incinerators in over 50 schools and mobilized 243 community champions to engage in door-to-door awareness campaigns. By 2027, Amazon aims to support more than 500 women entrepreneurs under this initiative.
With India still grappling with deep-rooted taboos around menstruation and lack of access to sanitary products, Amazon’s intervention offers a replicable model that bridges the gap between public health, women’s empowerment, and rural development.
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