Eco Femme: Pioneering a Sustainable Shift in Menstrual Health, Education, and Environmental Advocacy

By Syed Zaman

In the dynamic realm of sustainable living, Eco Femme stands out as a powerful force—seamlessly blending environmental mindfulness with the empowerment of women. To grasp the full significance of Eco Femme’s impact, let’s embark on an exploration into its core attributes. Here, the organization skillfully integrates eco-conscious menstrual products with a steadfast commitment to elevate both women and the planet.

Eco Femme goes beyond the confines of a conventional brand; it’s a movement—a celebration of womanhood entwined with the rhythm of nature. The narrative begins with a sincere aspiration to address the environmental impact of disposable menstrual products and challenge the pervasive stigma surrounding menstruation. Visionaries Kathy Walkling and Jessamijn Miedema, the founders of Eco Femme, set out to create a world where every woman has access to healthful, sustainable, and culturally appropriate menstrual products.

Eco-Friendly Menstruation

Deep within the ethos of Eco Femme pulses an unwavering commitment to alleviate the ecological impact of menstruation. The conventional trajectory of disposable menstrual products—leaving behind a disconcerting trail of waste in landfills and oceans—prompts a poignant environmental challenge. In response, Eco Femme unfurls its solution: a fervent promotion of reusable cloth pads. These pads—surpassing mere ecological relief—extend their compassion not solely to the Earth, but also to the women who adopt them. They become an emblem of sustainable choices and a gesture of care towards those navigating the intricate journey of womanhood. Crafted from organic cotton, these cloth pads stand as a testament to the brand’s dedication to sustainable and ethical production. They are washable, durable, and beautifully crafted—allowing women to embrace their periods with comfort and grace— significantly reducing their impact on the environment.

Empowering Women — One Pad at a Time

Eco Femme goes beyond the realm of eco-friendly products; it is a pioneer in fostering women’s empowerment. Operating on a social enterprise model—the brand prioritizes the economic well-being of the women involved in the production process. From skilled artisans crafting the pads to women distributing and educating others about menstrual health—Eco Femme becomes a catalyst for sustainable positive change.

Through initiatives like the “Pad for Pad” program—Eco Femme ensures that for every pad sold—a pad is donated to a girl in need. This not only addresses the issue of menstrual hygiene but serves as a powerful tool for education—while also breaking the silence around menstruation and empowering young girls to embrace their bodies confidently.

Cultivating a Menstrual Revolution

Eco Femme isn’t about selling products only; it’s about cultivating a menstrual revolution. By promoting open conversations about menstruation, breaking cultural taboos, and advocating for sustainable menstrual practices through regularized events series—Eco Femme is sowing seeds of change that extend far beyond the realm of its products. Eco Femme isn’t just a brand; it’s a movement that beautifully marries environmental responsibility with women’s empowerment.

Through educational workshops, awareness campaigns, and community engagement, Eco Femme nurtures a global community of women who are not only conscious consumers but also powerful advocates for a more sustainable and equitable world.

Wellpaper

By: Ashley O’Hara

WELL stands for Women Empowerment through Local Livelihood. This is exactly Welllpaper’s goal, to empower women through their social enterprise. The organization creates products from waste, focusing on paper waste. They recycle paper into various products, most being hand-woven home decor. Wellpaper was started in 2005 following the tsunami, which was extremely damaging to Tamil Nadu. The organization promotes sustainable practices, female empowerment, and personal income stability.

When we arrived at Wellpaper, we were brought into the studio/display room where all the handmade products are exhibited. There were many woven baskets and trays, as well as a large rotating jewelry display and a wall mural made of upcycled materials. The weaving method is a traditional cultural method. Wellpaper is unique in the sense that it uses rolled scrap paper coils for the weaving material. We were able to watch a live demonstration as a workshop was just ending. The women begin by taking a single piece of paper, finding a corner, and rolling it tightly. They seal it with a glue substance. To weave items, they begin by assembling a base. To facilitate this process, they often create the base around an existing box to achieve the desired shape. Once a base is made, they continue adding coils and weaving them together to add height and dimension to their creation. 

Not only does Wellpaper teach their employed women this weaving skill, but they also runs workshops to demonstrate their creative method to visitors. Similarly, they talk about the importance of limiting waste and upcycling.

Through teaching this process, Wellpaper has created an opportunity for local women to earn their own income. This is extremely important for their personal financial stability, the empowerment of women, and the overall income generation of local communities. Wellpaper offers a series of trainings to new women, allowing them to develop their skills. Through the encouragement of personal empowerment and strong team work support, Wellpaper has created a bright, beautiful community!