Anika Singh

Indian social entrepreneur combating menstrual stigma through sustainable hygiene initiatives

Anika Singh's startup EcoFemme, launched in 2019 but achieving major impact post-2020, has distributed over a million reusable menstrual products across India. Her work addresses both environmental and social issues by promoting sustainable hygiene practices while combating cultural taboos. The company's washable cloth pads reduce plastic waste while their educational programs have reached 500,000+ schoolgirls through workshops that normalize menstruation discussions.

Singh pioneered India's first menstrual hygiene museum in Coimbatore, featuring interactive exhibits that attract 10,000 visitors annually. Her research with UNICEF on menstrual health policies influenced new government sanitation initiatives. The documentary "Flow Beyond Stigma" chronicles her work, winning awards at the Mumbai Environmental Film Festival. She co-authored the 2022 UNDP report Breaking the Silence: Menstrual Health in Rural India which influenced policy changes in 5 Indian states.