Why Menstrual Hygiene Still Decides a Girl’s Education in India
Across low-income communities in India, menstrual hygiene remains unaffordable, inaccessible, or unspoken.
For adolescent girls, this doesn’t just mean discomfort. It means missing school, falling behind, and in many cases—dropping out completely.
Across low-income communities in India, menstrual hygiene remains unaffordable, inaccessible, or unspoken.
Field data from urban slums, migrant colonies, and peri-urban settlements across multiple states shows a consistent pattern:
- Girls miss 4–6 school days every month during their periods
- That adds up to nearly 20% of annual schooling lost
- Many fall into exam anxiety, poor grades, or early withdrawal from school
And the reason is painfully simple: They don’t have access to sanitary napkins.
Period Poverty in India: What the Numbers Reveal
Recent NGO audits, state health department reports, and school-level studies (2024–25) highlight the scale of the issue:
- 1 in 3 adolescent girls using unhygienic cloth report infections treated in government hospitals
- Poor menstrual hygiene increases risk of UTIs, rashes, reproductive infections, and absenteeism
- Girls from daily-wage and migrant families are the most affected
In many households, a ₹40–50 sanitary pad packet competes with food, rent, or transport. So girls manage however they can—often silently.
₹50 Is a Daily Compromise. ₹350 Keeps a Girl in School.
Sanitary Donations: Empowering Education
Six-month packs with awareness keep girls seated, learning. Reusables train sustainability.
Transformative Gains:
- Attendance Surge: 90%+ improvement.
- Confidence Rise: Better grades, aspirations.
- Health Shield: 25% fewer infections.
What Menstrual Hygiene Items Can You Donate in India?
Most verified NGOs across India accept the following items:
Commonly Accepted Donations
- Sanitary napkins (regular & overnight)
- Period panties
- Reusable cloth pads
- Menstrual cups
- Intimate wash
- Disposal pouches
- Awareness booklets (new)
Important Safety Guidelines
- Only factory-sealed napkin packets
- No expired or opened products
- Clean, unused reusable items
These rules exist to protect adolescent health—not to create barriers.
🎯 Want to Make the Biggest Impact?
- ₹350 keeps **one girl in school for 6 months**
- ₹3,300 supports **10 girls through exam year**
- ₹16,500 runs a **full school menstrual health drive**
Small amounts. Lifelong change.
₹350 | Support 1 Girl for 6 Months
Top Verified NGOs for Sanitary Napkin Donation in India (2026)
All NGOs listed below are 80G-certified, run year-round menstrual hygiene programs, and provide free or assisted pickup through city and partner networks.
(Programs operate across multiple Indian cities even if headquartered locally.)
NGO Name
Best For
Accepted Items
Free Pickup
Cost per Girl (6 months)
Unessa Foundation
School drives + workshops
Pads, cups, panties
Yes (7 days)
₹350
Rotary Club Vadodara
WinS school programs
Pads, reusables, bins
Yes
₹300
Women's Welfare Trusts
Reusable training collectives
Cloth pads, cups
Scheduled
₹500 (reusable)
Smile Foundation
She Can Fly education
Pads, booklets
Yes
₹650 (1 year)
Top NGOs Donating Sanitary Napkins to End Period Poverty for Girls in India (2026)
Unessa Foundation– Menstrual Dignity & School Retention
Unessa Foundation is among the most active grassroots NGOs working on girls’ dignity and menstrual health. Their programs link sanitary napkin supply with attendance tracking and awareness sessions.
2024–25 Impact
- 3,500+ girls supported with 6-month packs
- 2,000+ girls trained on menstrual health & reusable pads
- Strong focus on exam-year students
Accepted Items
- Sealed sanitary napkins
- period panties
- menstrual cups
- intimate wash
- disposal pouches
Guidelines
Factory-sealed only; no opened or expired items
Free Pickup
Available 7 days a week (partner networks across cities)
Rotary Club– Happy Periods Project
25,000+ pads, bins in 40+ schools.
Accepted Items
- Pads
- cups
- cloth reusables
- bags
Guidelines
New/sealed; bulk OK.
Contact
Facebook @rotaryclubofbaroda
Women’s Welfare Trusts & Local Collectives
Reusable focus via Baroda Women’s Association, Seva, Sakhi.
Accepted Items
- Cloth pads
- cups
- disposables
Guidelines
Clean/unused.
Contact
Justdial coordinators
Smile Foundation – She Can Fly
Partner schools in Karelibaug/Akota.
Accepted Items
- Pads
- cups
- booklets
Guidelines
Sealed/branded
Contact
Quick Comparison: Where to Donate Sanitary Napkins in India
NGO Name
Best For
Donation Type
Cost per Girl
Unessa Foundation
School drives + workshops
Pads, cups, panties
₹350 (6 months)
Rotary Club Vadodara
WinS school programs
Pads, reusables
₹300 (6 months)
Women's Welfare Trusts
Long-term reusable training
Cloth pads, cups
₹500 (2–3 years)
Smile Foundation
She Can Fly education
Pads, booklets
₹650 (1 year)
One Small Packet. One Big Shift.
A sanitary pad costs less than a cup of tea.
But for a girl deciding whether she can attend school this week, it decides everything.
When you donate sanitary napkins in India, you don’t just support hygiene.
You protect education, confidence, and the right to dream without interruption.
If you have unused supplies—or the ability to sponsor a kit—let them become something far bigger than their cost.
Because no girl should have to choose between her period and her future.
FAQs: Donating Sanitary Napkins in India (2026)
What sanitary products can I donate?
Sealed sanitary pads, menstrual cups, reusable pads, and disposal pouches.
Are sanitary napkin donations tax-deductible?
Yes. Donations to 80G-registered NGOs qualify for income tax benefits.
Do NGOs provide free pickup?
Many verified NGOs offer free or assisted pickup in major Indian cities.
Can I donate in bulk from schools or companies?
Yes. Bulk and CSR donations are widely accepted.
How much does it cost to support one girl?
₹300–₹350 supports one girl with menstrual supplies for six months.
Can I donate sanitary napkins in Vadodara city?
Vadodara is home to thousands of adolescent girls living in urban slums, migrant colonies, and low-income communities across areas like Jetalpur, Waghodia Road, Gotri, Sama, Makarpura, Manjalpur, Karelibaug, Akota, and Ajwa Road.
In these communities, many girls lack access to safe sanitary pads, causing health risks and missed school days. Your donation helps support their health, dignity, and education.
How to Donate Sanitary Napkins Locally in Vadodara
If you live in Vadodara or surrounding areas, you can support adolescent girls with essential menstrual hygiene supplies.
Local Donation Options Available
• Free doorstep pickup (partner NGOs)
• Bulk donations from homes, offices, or schools
• Assisted drop-off at NGO centers
One Small Packet. One Big Shift.
In 2026, let’s turn sanitary access into school retention for India’s girls.
₹350 can equip one girl with menstrual hygiene and dignity for six months.
