This building block captures the iterative process of translating user insights into tangible menstrual pad prototypes. Guided by the national field research (Building Block 1), Sparśa developed and tested multiple pad designs to balance absorbency, retention, comfort, hygiene, and compostability.

The process took place in two phases:

Phase 1 – Manual prototyping (pre-factory):
Before the factory was operational, pads were manually assembled to explore different material combinations and layering systems. Prototypes tested 3–5 layers, usually including a soft top sheet, transfer layer, absorbent core, biobased SAP (super absorbent polymer), and a compostable back sheet. Materials such as non-woven viscose, non-woven cotton, banana fibre, CMC (carboxymethyl cellulose), guar gum, sodium alginate, banana paper, biodegradable films, and glue were evaluated.

Key findings showed that while achieving high total absorbency was relatively easy — Sparśa pads even outperformed some conventional pads in total immersion tests — the main challenge lay in retention under pressure. Conventional pads use plastic hydrophobic topsheets that allow one-way fluid flow. Compostable alternatives like viscose or cotton are hydrophilic, risking surface wetness. Prototyping revealed the need to accelerate liquid transfer into the core to keep the top layer comfortable and dry.

Phase 2 – Machine-based prototyping (factory):
Once machinery was installed, a new round of prototyping began. Manual results provided guidance but could not be replicated exactly, as machine-made pads follow different assembly processes. Techniques such as embossing, ultrasonic sealing, and precise glue application were tested, alongside strict bioburden control protocols in the fibre factory.

Machine-made prototypes were systematically tested for absorption, retention, and bacterial counts. Internal testing protocols were developed in-house and then verified through certified laboratories. Initial results showed that bacterial loads varied significantly depending on fibre processing steps (e.g. cooking or beating order), underlining the importance of strict hygiene control.

Iterative design cycles combined laboratory testing with user comfort feedback, allowing continuous adjustments. By gradually refining layer combinations, thickness, and bonding methods, Sparśa optimized the balance between performance, hygiene, and environmental sustainability.

Annexes include PDFs with detailed prototype designs, retention test data, and bacterial count results. These resources are provided for practitioners who wish to replicate or adapt the methodology.

This building block outlines the findings and methodology of a nationwide field study conducted in 2022, which informed the Sparśa Pad Project. The research examined menstrual product usage, access, stigma, and user preferences among 820 Nepali women and adolescent girls in 14 districts across all seven provinces.

Using a structured face-to-face interview approach, the team employed ethically approved questionnaires administered by culturally rooted female research assistants. This method ensured trust, context sensitivity, and accurate data collection across diverse communities. The interviewers were trained in ethical protocols and worked in their own or nearby communities, thereby strengthening rapport and enhancing their understanding of local norms, power relations, and languages.

Key findings revealed a high reliance on disposable pads (75.7%) and ongoing use of cloth (44.4%), with product preferences strongly shaped by income, education, and geography. Respondents prioritized absorbency, softness, and size in menstrual products. While 59% were unfamiliar with the term “biodegradable,” those who understood it expressed a strong preference for compostable options, over 90%. Importantly, 73% of participants followed at least one menstrual restriction, yet 57% expressed positive feelings about them, seeing them as tradition rather than purely discriminatory.

These findings directly shaped the design of Sparśa’s compostable pads, informed the user testing protocols, and guided the development of targeted awareness campaigns. The accompanying link and PDFs include a peer-reviewed research article co-authored by the team and supervised by Universidade Fernando Pessoa (Porto, Portugal), as well as informed consent forms, a statement of confidentiality, and a research questionnaire. These documents are provided for practitioners' reference or replication purposes.

Why this is useful for others:

For Nepali organizations and local governments:

• The study provides representative national data to inform product design, pricing strategies, and outreach campaigns.
• It reveals regional, ethnic, and generational differences in attitudes that are essential for localized intervention planning.
• The questionnaire is available in Nepali and can be adapted for school surveys, municipal assessments, or NGO projects.

For international actors:

• The research demonstrates a replicable, ethical field methodology that balances qualitative insight with statistically relevant sampling.
• It offers a template for conducting culturally sensitive research in diverse, low-income settings.
• Key insights can guide similar product development, health education, and behavior change interventions globally.

Instructions for practitioners:

• Use the attached PDFs as templates for conducting your own baseline studies.
• Adapt the questions to reflect your region’s cultural and product context.
• Leverage the findings to avoid common pitfalls, such as overestimating awareness of biodegradable products or underestimating positive views on restrictions.
• Use the structure to co-design products and testing tools that truly reflect end-user needs.

Developed in Excel with partner Levoca, the tool enables Local Government Units (LGUs) and Fisheries Management Bodies (FMBs) to estimate the real costs of implementing and maintaining sustainable fisheries management with integrated EbA elements through the lens of Rare's Managed Access and Reserve (MA+R) models. It includes features for year-over-year projections, funding breakdowns, and integration with LGU planning cycles. Importantly, its input categories were standardized based on the Marine Protected Area Management Effectiveness Assessment Tool (MEAT), ensuring alignment with recognized MPA budgeting and management practices in the Philippines. This made the tool intuitive for LGU users and compatible with their responsibilities to submit Coastal Resource Management Plans (CRMPs).

The approach began at the national level, recognising the pivotal role of traditional leadership in community engagement. The National Chamber of Kings and Traditional Chiefs, representing 31 regions and thousands of villages, serves as a key communication channel between communities and the national government, even up to the presidency.

Together with the Ministry of Environment (MINEDDTE), an interactive workshop was held with ten kings to openly analyse the current context and co-design activities to better integrate local communities into the valorisation of biological resources. These sessions were not only informative but essential in shaping a locally grounded and culturally appropriate approach.

With official ministerial backing, the project engaged regional administrative representatives, followed by administrative and traditional authorities in northeastern Côte d’Ivoire, especially near Bouna and Dabakala.

At each level, interactive, participatory methods tailored to local realities were used. Authorities expressed support, shared insights, and provided key contacts. Their involvement enabled direct outreach to communities and laid the foundation for their participation in the value chains on medical plants.

This building block focuses on communication and advocacy as essential tools for creating systemic change—not just spreading information. Menstrual health is deeply personal but also shaped by institutional silence, stigma, and policy neglect. To challenge these patterns, the way we communicate must be intentional, inclusive, and tailored to each audience.

We develop distinct strategies for different stakeholders: government actors require policy-aligned framing and formal presentations; schools and youth respond better to creative, interactive materials; funders seek clarity, evidence, and long-term potential. Understanding what matters to each group—and delivering it in their language—has been key.

At the same time, we frame menstrual health as part of larger social goals: education, gender equality, environmental sustainability, and health equity. This framing helps broaden the base of support, positioning the issue within mainstream development agendas and attracting allies beyond the menstrual health space.

Advocacy happens through both formal and informal channels. While we participate in national alliances like MHMPA Nepal to shape policy and coordinate campaigns, we also invest in everyday conversations with local leaders, NGOs, and school staff. In both spaces, trust and consistency matter as much as messaging.

Strong communication gives menstrual health a visible, legitimate place in public life. It opens doors to new partnerships, mobilizes communities, and helps dismantle the silence that sustains discrimination.

This building block highlights the importance of forming strong, collaborative partnerships to achieve meaningful and sustainable grassroots impact. The success of any social enterprise, especially one focused on menstrual health or community wellbeing, depends not only on the product but also on the strength of the networks that support it.

First, by working closely with local partners (such as municipalities, local NGOs, girls' schools, colleges, hostels, and health centers), you can directly engage with the community. These partners help spread awareness about your product, support outreach activities, and even assist in distribution or sales. They also help ensure that the solutions are tailored to the specific cultural, geographic, and economic needs of the area.

Second, being active in national networks, such as the Menstrual Health Management Partner Alliance (MHMPA) Nepal, allows your project to stay aligned with national goals and current discussions. These networks offer a platform for advocacy, peer learning, joint campaigns, and collective problem-solving, enabling you to scale your impact beyond your immediate locality.

Third, building global partnerships opens the door to shared learning and innovation. For example, learning from other initiatives, such as the banana fiber pad project in Cameroon, can help you avoid common mistakes, adopt better technology, and improve your operations through exposure to diverse approaches.

Finally, teaming up with women’s rights organizations is crucial, especially when addressing issues such as menstrual health. These organizations already have strong community relationships, experience in gender-based advocacy, and a trusted presence in the field. Collaborating with them helps you access the right audience more effectively and lends greater legitimacy to your work.

Together, these partnerships enable your enterprise to grow stronger, gain trust, improve outreach, and build long-term sustainability.

Successfully establishing and scaling a social enterprise like a pad factory requires careful coordination with government authorities and strict compliance with legal requirements. This building block focuses on creating a strong foundation by building trust, ensuring legality, and protecting the enterprise from future risks.

The first step involves informing local and national government bodies about your project plans and activities. Regular communication not only builds transparency and trust but also makes it easier to gain support when needed. It ensures that the enterprise is seen as a responsible and contributing part of the country and community development.

Secondly, it is crucial to coordinate with local or provincial offices to confirm that the factory is located appropriately and meets all zoning, operational, and environmental requirements. Early consultation helps avoid future legal complications and promotes smoother project implementation.

Before any physical construction begins, the enterprise must complete all legal steps, such as securing land use permits, building approvals, and environmental clearances. This process prevents future disputes and ensures that the factory is legally protected at every stage.

If the enterprise plans to import machinery or raw materials from abroad (for example, from India and Chaina), it is essential to follow all import rules, including documentation and tax payments. Compliance with import regulations helps avoid customs delays, penalties, and additional operational costs.

Further, to operate legally in the market, the enterprise must register officially and gain approval to sell its products, such as sanitary pads. Official registration enhances the company’s credibility among customers, partners, and regulatory bodies, opening doors to wider distribution opportunities.

Finally, it is critical to insure the factory, machinery, and assets against potential risks like fire, natural disasters, burglary, or other damages. Having appropriate insurance coverage provides financial protection and ensures business continuity even during unforeseen events.

By following these structured steps, the enterprise not only secures its legal standing but also strengthens its reputation, improves sustainability, and creates a solid platform for growth and social impact.