🌸 Empowering Women, One Step at a Time! 🌸
- Ankita Singh
- Mar 8
- 4 min read
07 MARCH 2025, On the eve of International Women’s Day, the ISCI Foundation once again demonstrated its commitment to women’s health, dignity, and empowerment by installing its 17th Sanitary Napkin Vending Machine at an Anganwadi center in Gwalior. This crucial step, taken under the umbrella of the MAASI Initiative 2.0 (Menstrual Awareness And Sanitation Initiative), is a powerful stride towards ending period poverty and empowering
women at the grassroots level
With this installation, over 80 women and adolescent girls will now have easy and dignified access to sanitary napkins—an essential but often overlooked aspect of women’s wellness, especially in underserved communities.
A Day of Celebration and Empowerment
The atmosphere at the Anganwadi was filled with warmth, laughter, and a sense of solidarity. As part of International Women’s Day celebrations, ISCI Foundation organized an interactive program that combined health education, community bonding, and joyful activities. From coordinative games to heartfelt conversations, the event was crafted not just to inform, but to uplift and inspire.
Dr. Shilpi Sharma, a respected advocate for women’s health and wellness, graced the occasion as a special guest. Her session focused on the importance of menstrual hygiene, nutrition, and the need for open dialogue around women’s health issues. Speaking directly to the women present, she emphasized how small steps—like accessing clean sanitary products—can have a big impact on health, education, and self-esteem.
The Role of the MAASI Initiative
The MAASI Initiative, launched by ISCI Foundation in early 2025, has become a flagship movement dedicated to menstrual health education and access. Since its inception, the initiative has:
Installed 17+ sanitary napkin vending machines in schools, factories, and rural centers across Gwalior and nearby districts.
Conducted over 20+ awareness sessions focusing on menstrual hygiene, reproductive health, and busting taboos.
Distributed thousands of reusable and eco-friendly sanitary napkins, promoting both health and environmental consciousness.
Each vending machine installation is more than just a mechanical addition to a building—it is a symbol of dignity, accessibility, and change. These machines are stocked regularly and maintained to ensure uninterrupted support for the women who rely on them.
Creating Safe Spaces for Women
Director Mohit Modi of ISCI Foundation reflects on the broader mission:
“Menstrual hygiene is a right, not a luxury. When women feel safe and supported during their periods, they are more confident, more productive, and more empowered. Through our MAASI initiative, we are building a network of care and respect.”
Indeed, the Anganwadi center’s transformation into a safe and supportive space for women marks a significant achievement. This initiative is designed not just for convenience but to normalize menstruation, reduce school and work absenteeism, and promote health awareness among women and girls.
A Team Effort That Brings Smiles
No event of this scale is successful without dedicated hearts behind it. Kartik, ISCI’s enthusiastic Happiness Officer, led the coordination with warmth and energy. Volunteers Aryan, Ankita, and Abhishek worked tirelessly behind the scenes—managing logistics, setting up the vending machine, and creating a fun, inclusive environment for all attendees.
From arranging interactive games to distributing prizes, they ensured the event was joyful and memorable. The team’s approach reflects ISCI’s deep-rooted belief that social change thrives on community participation and emotional engagement.
Highlights of the Women’s Day Celebration
The celebration was a vibrant tribute to womanhood. Some memorable elements included:
Coordinative Games: Women from different age groups participated in fun and inclusive games designed to build camaraderie and confidence.
Prizes & Gifts: Winners were rewarded with thoughtful prizes, and all attendees received hygiene kits and reusable napkins.
Open Dialogue: A safe space was created for attendees to share their stories, ask questions, and receive guidance on menstrual and reproductive health.
Cultural Exchange: Songs and dances performed by Anganwadi participants added a personal, emotional touch to the gathering.
Expanding the Mission: What’s Next?
The March 7 event is part of a broader campaign that includes 10 additional installations in the pipeline for the coming months. These machines will be placed in:
Government and private schools
Industrial units and textile factories
Rural healthcare centers and anganwadis
The goal is to reach 1,000+ women and girls with each installation, along with customized awareness programs and follow-up sessions. By embedding menstrual hygiene support into existing community infrastructures, ISCI ensures sustainability and scale.
In addition to installations, the foundation is working on:
Creating women-led health committees at each location
Introducing digital health education modules via QR codes on the vending machines
Collaborating with local NGOs and Panchayats to ensure long-term success and monitoring
Why This Work Matters
According to national surveys, over 23% of Indian girls drop out of school once they start menstruating. Lack of access to sanitary products, combined with stigma and misinformation, often leads to shame, isolation, and serious health issues.
ISCI Foundation’s MAASI Initiative fights this injustice head-on by:
Providing free and affordable access to sanitary napkins
Normalizing menstruation through open conversations and education
Empowering local women to become menstrual health ambassadors in their communities.
Every pad dispensed, every question answered, and every taboo broken is a victory for equality and wellness.
A Ripple of Change
The event on March 7 was more than just a Women's Day celebration—it was a community transformation. As women laughed, learned, and played together, there was a shared realization: menstruation is a part of life, not a source of shame. Access to hygiene is not a favor; it’s a fundamental right.
With ISCI Foundation continuing to build on its vision through the MAASI Initiative, thousands of women and girls will experience this wave of change—quietly, powerfully, and with dignity.
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