The initiative aims to end menstrual poverty and provide rural women with a dignified, long-term menstrual cup solution
Centre For Transforming India (CFTI), a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to rural transformation, now announces the launch of “The Cup Of Care” campaign to help provide low-income, middle-aged women in Raigad with affordable menstrual hygiene solutions. The Cup of Care Campaign aims to provide a dignified, environmentally friendly menstrual hygiene option with menstrual cups. 42% of women still rely on unhygienic methods, as menstrual hygiene challenges are severe in Maharashtra. It is even worse in states like Uttar Pradesh (69.4%), Bihar (67.5%), and Madhya Pradesh (64.8%). The high price of sanitary napkins creates financial barriers for women; due to the “pink tax,” GST-free menstrual cups produce a long-term, more affordable solution. Medically tested silicone menstrual cups give 12 hours of leak-proof protection to help prevent rashes, infections, and discomfort for women working in agriculture or the informal sector without access to clean toilets during the day. Along with the need for “environmental” change, as India produces over 113,000 tons of sanitary napkin waste each year, most of which is not managed in rural areas. CFTI’s holistic approach addresses issues of affordability, health, dignity, education, sustainability, and rural practical difficulties all within one program.
Mr Amit Deshpande, Chief Operating Officer at Centre For Transforming India stated, “At CFTI, we believe true transformation begins with giving women the dignity and freedom they deserve. ‘The Cup of Care’ is not just a menstrual hygiene campaign; it is rather a movement towards long-term empowerment, sustainability, and change. Our mission is to reach every village that still struggles as we grow and to ensure that no woman in India has to compromise her health because of financial constraints. This campaign marks the beginning of a larger national effort, and we invite every citizen, organization, and policymaker to join us in building a future where menstrual hygiene is a right, not a privilege. “The Cup of Care” is not just a project; it is the beginning of a behavioral and social transformation that will help women regain agency, dignity, and confidence.” The Cup of Care Campaign aims to create conversations, provide females with an eco-friendly lifestyle choice, and generate less waste. While empowering them to choose their own solutions for the long term by promoting the use of menstrual cups.
About Centre For Transforming India (CFTI)
CFTI (Centre For Transforming India) is a registered non-profit trust established in 2009 under the Indian Trusts Act, 1882, and is recognized by NITI Aayog. Motivated by a core vision to transform the villages in India, the organization seeks to bring dreams to life and give wings to aspirations, thereby transforming their communities and country. CFTI is staffed by an enthusiastic body of more than 700 volunteers and an experienced board to focus its mission on social development across vital sectors: Education, Skill Development, Water and Sanitation, and Women’s Empowerment, Health, Sports. CFTI has successfully demonstrated measurable grassroots impact across India’s most underserved regions, such as Aspirational Districts, through its holistic development approach to strengthen communities at many levels. Its education-focused work continues to remain at the core, with renovation of government schools through the My School, My Pride initiative with modern classrooms, rebuilt toilets, computer and science labs, solar panels, RO systems, sports material, and academic kits. In addition, over 85,000 lives have been impacted with the distribution of more than 35,000 bicycles to girls, and over 100 safe, sustainable pucca houses for tribal communities. Complementing this, CFTI is strengthening water security in drought-prone Coastal Maharashtra through the construction of check dams in Shenwai to provide year-round clean water, with plans to scale up this successful model to more than 100 villages to address the long-term issue of water scarcity. Beyond education, CFTI drives community empowerment through dedicated women’s skill development programs and SHGs benefiting 5,000+ women and sports-led development through major infrastructure such as the Veshvi basketball court serving 3,000 people, the Pondicherry court impacting 2,000+, and a full-fledged sports complex in Nagaon. Having been further strengthened by its COVID-19 relief outreach to 700,000 people, CFTI continues to bridge critical gaps in water, sanitation, livelihood, and infrastructure, delivering sustainable, village-level transformation. Through Project Dhristi, CFTI is restoring vision and dignity for underserved communities by distributing over 1 lakh spectacles and funding numerous cataract surgeries, ensuring clear sight for children, adults, and the elderly alike. CFTI’s work has earned the trust of several respected corporate and institutional partners, including clients such as PPFAS Asset Management Pvt. Ltd., a socially responsible financial institution that leverages its CSR mandate to drive meaningful, long-term impact in rural India. The strategic partnerships, especially with CFTI, have strengthened digital and academic infrastructure in the underserved schools and transformed learning for over 2,500 students. CFTI’s work is strengthened by the invaluable partnerships it has with a large number of PSUs, corporates, and HNIs through whose trust and collaboration CFTI can create impact and scale across the most underserved communities of India.
