At its core, our mission is to promote Women Empowerment, Education, and Equality. 

Women Empowerment is freedom of expression, freedom of making decisions, freedom to be inspired and to live a full-filling life on their own terms. Simply put, it is giving Women Freedom of Choice. On the personal front, this freedom can only be achieved if a woman is economically independent, able to lead a healthy life, and educated enough to make informed choices. On the societal front, this freedom can be realized only with the active implementation of equality and dignity. 

Though there are many areas that need attention, one area that has been widely neglected as a public and social issue is Menstruation Health & Hygiene (MHH) management. MHM is at the juncture of critical aspects of women empowerment – Education, Economics, Health, Dignity, and Inclusivity.

Menstrual hygiene management (MHM) is defined as – Women, girls, transgender and non-binary people (collectively known as Menstruators) are using a clean menstrual management material to absorb or collect menstrual blood, that can be changed in privacy as often as necessary for the duration of a menstrual period, using soap and water for washing the body as required, and having access to safe and convenient facilities to dispose of used menstrual management materials. They understand the basic facts linked to the menstrual cycle and how to manage it with dignity and without discomfort or fear.

In the United States, for the most part, menstruation can be an inconvenience, but it is not life-altering. However, in rural villages and impoverished urban areas in India and much of the low and medium-income countries, the situation is vastly different.

The culture of silence and strong stigmas around menstruation can lead to negative consequences including dropping out of school early, limited access to job opportunities, and the most severe of which are infections and illnesses such as cervical cancer. These consequences contribute to gender inequality and economic disparity.

Pen & Pads is a youth-fueled initiative to eradicate period poverty and stigma through service, education, and advocacy. It also aims to empower women through social enterprise and decision-making power to make them more confident, financially independent, and healthy. Pen & Pads touches upon social, environmental, and employment aspects with the following objectives.

• • • • • • Fight Pad Poverty
          • Raise MHH Awareness
          • Destigmatize Menstruation
          • Advocate & Promote Sustainable Periods
          • Empower Women through employment
          • Provide At-Home Wellness Checks