Mancherial woman sets example by manufacturing handmade sanitary pads

Burla Jyothi, a B.Com graduate from Mancherial, runs Abitha Forever, the district’s first handmade sanitary pads unit. Despite struggling to break even, she empowers women through tailoring and training, while seeking official support to clear safety tests and gain ISI certification

Mancherial: Burla Jyothi may still be struggling to break even after five years of running a handmade sanitary pads manufacturing unit, but she has already emerged as a role model for many women aspiring for financial independence.

A B.Com graduate from Chunnambattiwada in Mancherial town, Jyothi had earlier worked for women’s empowerment through self-help groups (SHGs) and voluntary organisations before taking up this initiative. Her unit, set up in 2020 under the brand name Abitha Forever with the support of a voluntary organisation, is the first of its kind in the district.

---

“Having established the unit in 2020, I am still unable to find proper market opportunities as I cannot advertise the pads due to certain limitations. I believe I will be able to reach my goal soon. I was trained in making pads by an organisation in Vijayawada,” Jyothi told Telangana Today.

She explained that her biggest challenge has been clearing the safety test and obtaining ISI certification, which is crucial to gain customer trust. The certification assesses safety and performance, including pH value testing for skin-friendliness, absorbency and fluid retention to prevent leaks, and disposability tests for environmental impact.

The mother of two appealed to officials to extend support in helping her clear the safety test and secure certification. She expressed confidence that she could achieve greater success if supported and encouraged. At present, Jyothi is targeting local kirana stores, schools and SHGs to sell the pads, which she said are affordable and of good quality.

To sustain the venture, Jyothi has also taken up stitching school uniforms and engaged women in tailoring. She continues to train women from the district in tailoring with the support of NGOs, furthering her mission to empower women.