Making Pads in Chitwan

LJ Dusthimer

July 5th, 2019

We began this morning with the training session to teach interested women how to make the pads. Three women came to participate in the workshop while around ten watched intermittently throughout the day. Ashwin then began the process of teaching the women how to sew the pads. (Check out this step-by-step photo guide of how the pads are made!)

Ashwin first taught the women how to cut the patterns for the pads. They traced patterns for the base, insert and flaps of the pads. The project purchased several pairs of tailoring shears. A few of the women struggled to cut the traced material with the cumbersome shears, so Ashwin spent some time helping them correct their form. 

They then cut cotton cloth that would eventually be the "pocket" for the absorbent part of the pad. Layers of this cotton cloth are eventually stitched together with waterproof material between them so that the outer "pocket" of the pad prevents leaking.

Cutting the waterproof material to line the pads proved to be more difficult than cutting cotton and the fabric had to be pinned down to prevent it from rolling inwards.

Finally, more absorbent cotton was cut to make the core of the pad.

Next, the sewing machines were prepared. The sewing machines we purchased do not require electricity, an important feature as the village has frequent power outages throughout the day. Initially we planned to purchase foot pedal machines, which can be operated with more expediency, but the weight and size of the machines made it too difficult for transport to the villages. 

The machines are operated through use of a hand crank, which pushes the needle up and down. A local tailor came to help set up the machines and show the women how to properly care for them. 

The machines required additional spools of thread, so we walked to the local tailor's shop to purchase extras. After spending 15 NPR (~14 cents USD),  we headed back to the workshop to load the machines. When we returned, the women were hard at work cutting more patterns and fabric for pads. 

The goal of the first training workshop was to teach the women, so they produced only one sample pad each--with the help of Ashwin. On the second day of the workshop, however, Ashwin simply observed. The women each individually made two pads and needed minimal feedback to correct their work.

In total, the preliminary collective in Chitwan is comprised of three women. Over the next two months, the women (who are being paid temporary wages from the project stipend) will create the pads using the material and tools we provided. At least half of the pads will be distributed throughout the village for free – to supply the village women and girls with hygienic sanitary products. The rest are eventually to be sold in businesses throughout Nepal. Ashwin has already been in contact with interested sellers in Pokhara and Kathmandu. While in the Chitwan village, a local businessman traveling in the area even approached our group and expressed interest in purchasing our product for his handicrafts store.

As our time in Chitwan comes to a close, we are ready to move on to our next location: Nawalpur.

Side Note about the women that came to watch: Since this is the season for farming, most women in the village are too busy to dedicate hours to learning this process, unless they are invested in making the pads full time. Women play an integral role in agriculture and over 80% of rural Nepali women are involved farming.