Behind prison walls: Karma Foundation champions women’s menstrual health in jail

Priyanshi Patel’s life philosophy has been rooted in 'seva’ or service. 

With an intent to give back to the world, Patel co-founded Karma Foundation in 2014. The Ahmedabad-based organisation works on community development, education, health, and women's empowerment. Their initiatives include livelihood programmes, scholarships, mental health support, and sanitation projects. 

Rooted in the belief that small, thoughtful actions can create lasting ripple effects, in 2018, the foundation began addressing the health issues and social stigma surrounding menstrual hygiene as well as environmental sustainability.

Addressing menstrual hygiene in jail

Upon a request by Navjivan, a Gandhian publishing house and trust in Ahmedabad, Karma Foundation partnered with Sabarmati Central Jail in Ahmedabad to set up a manufacturing unit in Sabarmati Jail in 2018.

Beyond manufacturing and distribution of biodegradable sanitary pads, the initiative conducts awareness sessions and organises health camps. “We started with 15 female prisoners who produced more than 3,000 sanitary pads every day,” says Patel, adding that over 500 inmates have worked on the initiative over the years.

Prakash Puruhit, programme coordinator of the project at Sabarmati Central Jail, says when they first talked to the women inmates about menstruation, many covered their faces or walked away. “It took a bit of continuous engagement, and establishing safety and trust for them to open up to us,” he tells SocialStory. 

The team also found that the menstrual and reproductive health of these inmates was extremely poor. They resorted to using cloth in the absence of hygienic facilities such as enough toilets or clean water. The lack of space and sharing rooms and beds also led to fights among inmates, causing distress and anxiety during their menstruation cycles.

“We learnt that the doctor assigned to the prison was getting a lot of women with gynaecological problems, and issues caused by lack of menstrual hygiene,” says Purohit.

The foundation has worked in rural areas, training young women in computer science, beautician courses and driving classes, along with imparting menstrual education. It replicated the model inside the jail as well. This led the women inmates to feel safer and take charge of their health and sanitation.

They began manufacturing menstrual pads, made using cornstarch and other biodegradable materials, which are then distributed to schools and rural areas as part of Karma Foundation’s larger campaigns. Since its inception, the Sabarmati Jail unit has produced over 1,75,000 packets of sanitary pads, with each packet containing eight pads, contributed by hundreds of inmates.

Addressing menstrual health in schools

Menstrual health is a critical issue in India, particularly in rural areas, where lack of awareness and resources often lead to health complications and high dropout rates among girls. According to a report by Dasra, nearly 23 million girls drop out of school annually due to inadequate menstrual hygiene management​.

Through its menstrual health programme, Karma Foundation has reached over 200 schools across Gujarat and more than 10 states. Each intervention begins with awareness sessions led by volunteers and health professionals, followed by the distribution of biodegradable pads. The foundation also conducts regular follow-ups to ensure the programme’s effectiveness in reducing stigma.

Patel says sometimes even school principals lacked basic knowledge about menstrual hygiene. “It’s not just about distributing pads—it’s about changing mindsets and fostering understanding,” she emphasises.

The pads are distributed for free for inmates and to adolescent girls in vulnerable rural areas across the country.

“In some villages, we saw that girls and women were using pan leaves and at times ash. Our Sabarmati Jail unit has produced enough pads to be distributed to all these places,” says Purohit.

Finding financial freedom and dignity inside jail

Studies have shown that women are often pushed into crimes due to systemic inequalities and violence. These factors include economic deprivation, lack of education, and domestic violence.

The project operates within the prison’s employment framework, fostering skill development. As of today, the women inmates involved in making sanitary napkins are paid Rs 100 a day for six hours of work, says Purohit. He says there have been many cases wherein the women who show up to work diligently find it easier to get certificates of good conduct, thereby increasing their chances of bail.

With the various training programmes offered by Karma Foundation, they are also able to build small-scale businesses upon release, he adds.

“It’s a win-win,” says Patel. “On the one hand, women gain meaningful employment, and on the other, communities benefit from affordable, eco-friendly sanitary products.”