The narrative of Pad Squad is one of optimism, empathy, and bravery to challenge conventions. Right in the heart of the COVID-19 epidemic, in June 2020, the globe was struggling, and the most vulnerable individuals were suffering the most. The situation of women and girls deprived of essential menstrual hygiene supplies during the lockdown impacted the founding members—Chhitra Subramanian, Monica Raheja, Mayuri Dhavale, Surya Balakrishnan, Gillian Pinto, Taranjit Kaur and Niiya Kumar very powerfully. Not included as “essential items” in official aid packs, sanitary pads left many women to manage their periods in solitude and shame.
The concept developed when these driven people—from cinema, business, and activism- decided to achieve something significant from several angles. They came to see that menstruation hygiene was being neglected even while food and medication were being supplied. They so created Pad Squad, a citizen-led effort to guarantee that no woman or child would have to sacrifice her dignity only because she menstruates.
Although their early initiatives were modest, delivering pads to women and slum women in Mumbai and Pune, the effect was immediate and intense. Word went fast, and soon, Pad Squad became a national movement. Volunteers—often known as “Pad Squadders”—joined throughout India and outside. The quest started with empathy but blossomed into a purpose to alter lives, one pad at a time.
The Core Mission and Values of Pad Squad
Mission: Dignity, Health, and Social Responsibility
Pad Squad’s fundamental objective is simple but profound: to safeguard the dignity and health of menstruating women and girls, particularly those from underprivileged areas. They feel that proper menstrual hygiene is not only about physical health but also about confidence, self-worth, and the capacity women have to engage fully in society.
Their ideals are anchored in:
Empowerment: Women are the backbone of their families and communities. By supporting their menstrual health, Pad Squad allows whole communities to flourish.
Social obligation: Pad Squad regards menstruation hygiene as a universal obligation, not merely a ‘women’s issue’. Men and boys are encouraged to engage in drives and debates, breaking down age-old taboos.
Environmental Accountability: The team is cognisant of the environmental impact of disposable pads. Whenever feasible, they encourage sustainable options like reusable cloth pads and menstruation cups.
Hyperlocal Sensitisation: Pad Squad believes in addressing individuals directly in their areas, identifying their specific requirements, and giving targeted help.
Every pad provided is a step towards a more egalitarian, healthy, and compassionate society.
Overcoming Challenges: Distribution Drives in Crisis Facing the Storm: COVID-19 and Beyond Pad Squad’s mission is not simple. Distributing menstrual hygiene supplies amid emergencies like the COVID-19 shutdown or in conflict-hit regions offers new obstacles. During the epidemic, stringent lockdowns meant that many women were blocked off from stores and medicines. Sanitary pads were not included in government aid packs, and many families could not buy them. Volunteers had to discover methods to reach these ladies securely, frequently jeopardising their health.
In War affected zones like Poonch, the issue is much more difficult. Displacement, anxiety, and lack of resources make it challenging for women to manage their periods with dignity. Pad Squad reacted by engaging with local volunteers who understand the ground realities and can directly help the most vulnerable women.
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There were periods of uncertainty and resistance. Some people questioned why menstruation hygiene was vital amid a crisis, but Pad Squad never lost up. They recognised that “periods don’t pause during crises,” and neither should their efforts. Their perseverance and determination motivated many people to join and support their cause.
Reaching the Most Vulnerable: How Pad Squad Identifies and Supports Those in Need
Hyperlocal Networks and Community Ties
Pad Squad’s strength resides in its grassroots approach. They have created a network of over 70 volunteers in more than 30 cities in India. These volunteers, or ‘Pad Squadders’, are local heroes who know their areas well. They identify women and girls in need by working closely with local NGOs, youth organisations, and community leaders.
- The technique is simple but effective: Volunteers listen to the tales and needs of women in their localities.
- They map out groups that lack access to menstrual hygiene products—urban slums, tribal belts, flood-hit areas, and war zones.
- Pad Squad engages with partners like Fabpad to obtain affordable, reusable pads and menstrual cups, assuring sustainability and long-term impact.
- This hyperlocal strategy guarantees that support reaches people who need it most without additional bureaucracy or delay.
- Collaborating for Greater Impact: Partnerships and Volunteers
Working Hand-in-Hand with NGOs and Partners
Pad Squad recognises that teamwork is crucial to generating lasting change. To increase their reach and effect, they engage with like-minded NGOs, local groups, and partners like Fabpad. Fabpad, for example, makes high quality and affordable, reusable pads and provides women jobs by integrating them into manufacturing and distribution.
Together, they arrange awareness campaigns, seminars, and distribution initiatives. Local volunteers have a significant role—they connect Pad Squad and the communities. By training volunteers and cooperating with youth organisations, Pad Squad guarantees that the message of menstrual hygiene reaches even the remotest regions of the nation.
This sense of engagement extends to contributors and supporters. Pad Squad encourages individuals to give pads (not just money) and promotes initiatives like ‘PAD PETI for Every Beti’, where residential associations may collect pads for distribution.
Training Pad Squadders: The Heart of the Movement Qualities That Make a Difference
Pad Squad’s volunteers come from many walks of life—doctors, entrepreneurs, students, artists, homemakers, and more. What unifies them is their enthusiasm, empathy, and dedication to making a difference. The team seeks volunteers who are:
- Show up for people in need.
- Adaptable and flexible—ready to aid wherever required, even in stressful circumstances.
- Empathetic and compassionate—able to connect with women’s stories and give assistance without judgment.
- Willing to learn and educate—Pad Squadders are taught to offer demonstrations on how to use and dispose of pads and to speak freely about menstrual health.
- By cultivating these skills, Pad Squad produces a strong, determined team to face any challenge.
Balancing Access and Sustainability
Disposable vs. Reusable: A Thoughtful Approach
Pad Squad knows the delicate balance between instant comfort and long-term sustainability. While their primary objective is to ensure that women have access to sanitary napkins, they are intentionally working towards biodegradable and reusable choices.
For example, in their latest effort in Poonch, Pad Squad is giving kits containing reusable cotton pads that may last up to four years or 100 washes. These kits are cost-effective, eco-friendly, and come with bilingual instruction manuals so that any woman may use them confidently. In several places, Pad Squad is also offering menstruation cups and working with partners to provide sustainable solutions. Their approach is practical: They meet pressing demands first, always keeping an eye on the future and the environment.
Educating Women and Girls: Breaking the Silence Around Periods
Awareness Drives and Open Conversations
Pad Squad believes that education is as vital as product distribution. During every campaign, volunteers give awareness presentations on menstrual health and cleanliness. They teach how to use pads, highlight the necessity of correct disposal, and address misconceptions and taboos about periods.
They also cooperate with companies like Sukhibhava Foundation to give free menstruation assistance and gynaecological consultations via helplines like ‘Hello Saheli ‘. By incorporating men and boys in these talks, Pad Squad is steadily breaking the taboo and shame surrounding menstruation. Their message is simple: Periods are natural, and every girl and woman deserves to handle them with dignity.
Vision for the Future
Pad Squad aims to reach every woman and girl in need, not only with pads but also with education and confidence. Their long-term aims include Expanding their network of volunteers to new cities and rural regions.
- Increasing the distribution of sustainable menstruation products.
- Conducting additional awareness campaigns and seminars, particularly in schools and colleges.
- Building collaborations with additional NGOs, local groups, and companies.
- Menstruation hygiene should be incorporated into all government relief initiatives and policies.
They know the road ahead is long, but with every pad provided and every discussion begun, they are coming closer to a future where no woman is left behind.
How Individuals and Organisations Can Support Pad Squad
Be a Part of the Change
Pad Squad’s work is fuelled by regular folks with incredible hearts. You can help their goal by Donating pads or to projects like the Poonch initiative, where only Rs 245 can supply a woman with a reusable kit for years.
- Volunteering as a Pad Squadder in your city or municipality.
- Spreading awareness by honestly discussing periods and menstrual health.
- Collaborating as an organisation or community group to conduct collection drives or awareness seminars.
Every piece of support—big or small—makes a difference. As Monica Raheja of Pad Squad says, “Every Pad Matters”. By joining together, we can guarantee that every woman and girl manages her period with dignity, health, and pride.
Conclusion: The Pad Squad Spirit
Pad Squad is more than a movement—it is a family, a community, and a light of hope. Through their unrelenting labour, they have touched the lives of lakhs of women and girls, given them the gift of dignity, and ignited debates that will resound for centuries. Their story is a reminder that genuine change starts when we care, act, and think that every woman deserves to live with pride—every day of the month.
Your kindness can transform lives forever. Since 2020, Pad Squad has brought dignity to over 20 lakh women across the country in several cities, villages, slums and tribal areas and countless more still wait in silence. Every 245 rupee you donate becomes hope; every pad becomes shame-free. When you contribute, DM us to witness the beautiful impact of your generosity firsthand. Together, we’re not just distributing pads – we’re restoring dignity, one woman at a time. Please donate generously on the following link or QR code and support by sharing this further.
If you desire to contribute, remember: a pad is not simply a product. It is a sign of respect, health, and togetherness. Together, we can ensure that no woman has to choose between her dignity and her circumstances. That is the Pad Squad pledge.
Also Read: Amrita Pritam: The Soulful Voice of Love, Pain, and Rebellion
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