• IIT Kanpur, SIIC-incubated startup MildCares distributed their menstrual cups in the Aminabad village, enabling women to switch from disposable sanitary pads

• Aminabad Urf Baragoan village became the first "sanitary pad-free village" in Uttar Pradesh

• GynoCups are reusable, cost-effective, and eco-friendly compared to sanitary pads, offering a sustainable alternative for menstrual hygiene

Aminabad, 29 May, 2024: On the occasion of World Menstrual Hygiene Day, MildCares, a start-up incubated by the Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC), IIT Kanpur, achieved a landmark feat by distributing their GynoCup Menstrual Cups in Aminabad Urf Baragoan village. This initiative successfully transitioned the village's women to menstrual cups, paving the way for its official declaration as Uttar Pradesh's first "sanitary pad-free village."

This groundbreaking achievement marks a significant stride towards improved menstrual hygiene management, environmental sustainability, and women's health empowerment in the region. MildCares' GynoCup offers a reusable, cost-effective, and eco-friendly alternative to disposable sanitary pads.

Menstrual cups provide several advantages over sanitary pads. They are not only cost-effective and environmentally friendly but also offer a safer and more hygienic option. By reducing dependence on disposable pads, menstrual cups can significantly decrease the risk of infections and promote better menstrual health.

The certification by Uttar Pradesh block officials validates the success of this initiative, positioning it as a model for other villages and regions to emulate. The Gram Pradhan of Aminabad Urf Baragoan expressed his enthusiasm for the program and commended the village women for their enthusiastic and resilient adoption of this change. He believes this sets a powerful example for other communities to follow.

Dr. Nikhil Agarwal, CEO, SIIC, IIT Kanpur, lauded the successful efforts of MildCares. "The switch to reusable menstrual cups cuts waste, significantly reducing its environmental footprint. This initiative showcases IIT Kanpur's commitment to social change by supporting innovative startups like MildCares, which empower communities with sustainable solutions."

Rachna Vyas, Co-Founder of MildCares and Head of the Switch2Cup Initiative, said, "The success of Aminabad Urf Baragoan illustrates the impact of extensive education and community participation. MildCares is thrilled to witness these positive changes and hopes this will inspire other regions to adopt sustainable menstrual health practices."

MildCares' pioneering initiative in Aminabad Urf Baragoan serves as a beacon of hope, paving the way for a future where menstrual hygiene, environmental consciousness, and women's health go hand-in-hand.

About MildCares private Limited:

MildCares Pvt Ltd, founded in 2019 and headquartered in New Delhi, India, is a personal care company focused on women's health. Their flagship product, the GynoCup menstrual cup, launched in 2020, is a sustainable, affordable, and user-friendly alternative to traditional sanitary pads, aiming to improve menstrual hygiene and empower women.

About IIT Kanpur:

Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur was established in 1959 and declared to be an Institute of National Importance by the Government of India through an Act of Parliament. IIT Kanpur is best known for the highest standard of education in science and engineering and for seminal R&D contributions over the years. The institute has a sprawling lush green campus spread over 1055 acres with a large pool of academic and research resources spanning across 19 departments, 25 centres and 3 interdisciplinary programs in engineering, science, design, humanities, and management disciplines with more than 580 full-time faculty members and approximately 9000 students.

For more information, visit www.iitk.ac.in.