Social Entrepreneurs On A Mission To Solve Chronic Female Health-Care Problem
Aakar’s sanitary-pad industry is growing fast and even with many challenges and hurdles its founders see a big opportunity in the Indian market. While established firms such as Procter & Gamble lead the markets in towns and cities, about 25 percent of women are opting to use Aakar’s product. But the same cannot be said at the rural side as the proportion is very low. But Aakar’s founders believe that they can win 6 million customers by bypassing middlemen and using existing retail networks in the rural areas. The startup also has plans to provide direct employment to 11,000 women in the next five years.
Aakar has partnered with Swayam Shikshan Prayog, an NGO in Osmanabad which is responsible for manufacture and distribution of sanitary-pads. This NGO also promotes awareness by asking asking local doctors and health-care workers to promote the use of these low-cost pads at workshops and at monthly village Panchayats/ gatherings. By end of October, the NGO will begin promoting and catering the pads to about 20,000 women in Osmanabad and Aakar is confident on meeting its mark.
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