From Knowledge to Action: A Goonj Didi Changing Conversations Around Menstrual Health
In the hills of Uttarakhand, Surma Devi has been working with Goonj’s Not Just A Piece of Cloth (NJPC) initiative for over five years. For her, it’s not just work—it’s a role filled with dignity, learning, and purpose.
“As a woman, I feel proud to be part of something that empowers others and myself,” she shares.
At the NJPC unit, Surma Devi learned how to make My Pads—a reusable cotton-based sanitary pad made from upcycled cloth. But the real transformation began at home.
She shared what she learned with her daughter, ensuring she not only had access to safe menstrual cloth but also understood how to care for herself. Slowly, she extended that awareness to other women in her community—through conversations, guidance, and quiet leadership.
Cloth as Conversation Starter
Surma’s journey is part of a larger movement within Goonj’s Cloth-Based Employment model. While the product—My Pad—meets a very personal and practical need, the process is where real change begins.
“Even today, many women lack access to information. Through this work, I’ve seen how cloth can start a conversation that otherwise never happens.”
Made from clean cotton cloth, My Pad is a simple but impactful solution—enabling women manage menstruation with comfort, dignity, and awareness.
My Pads stacked and packaged by women
More Than a Pad – A People-Led Solution
In 2022–23 alone, over 31,000 kg of cloth was transformed into 1.3 million My Pads by women like Surma Devi. Every pad tells a story—not of donation, but of ownership, knowledge, and participation.
These are not just sanitary products. They are tools of resilience, stitched with care by women who understand their value from the inside out.
Be a Part of Change
Our invitation to you is, start from where you are.. From a small change of starting a Goonj kee Gullak or Team 5000, joining a long and deep change process, or things in between- organising a collection drive, a volunteering journey, an internship, or simply walking with us signing for a Goonj monthly newsletter subscription.. More on www.goonj.org or write to [email protected].
Many options, but the choice is always one; Taking Action..
