Monica Iva Bhagat

Indian social entrepreneur revolutionizing menstrual health through sustainable practices

Early Life & Inspiration

Monica Iva Bhagat (b. 1980) grew up in Mumbai observing taboos around menstruation. After studying environmental science in Pune, she worked in corporate sustainability before founding FemFresh in 2008 - India's first reusable menstrual product company. Her innovation addressed both health disparities and environmental waste from single-use pads.

Product Innovation

Bhagat's washable cotton pads and menstrual cups disrupted India's $2 billion hygiene market dominated by multinational brands. Her products are priced 70% lower than disposables while reducing plastic waste by 90%. The company's 'Pad Library' initiative provides free sanitary products to rural schools through partnerships with NGOs like Breakthrough.

Social Impact

By 2020, FemFresh had reached 500,000+ women across 15 states, reducing school dropout rates during menstruation by 40%. Bhagat's advocacy led to India's 2018 policy change allowing menstrual products in public schools. Her TEDx talk 'Periods Without Pollution' has over 2 million views.

Global Recognition

Recipient of the 2019 UN Women Empowerment Prize and Schwab Foundation Social Entrepreneur of the Year, Bhagat advises the Indian government on menstrual health policies. Her work inspired similar initiatives in Kenya and Bangladesh. In 2022, she launched Menstrual Rights Collective, a global network connecting 50+ grassroots organizations.

Innovation Continuation

Current projects include biodegradable tampon applicators and a blockchain system tracking menstrual hygiene supply chains. Bhagat's memoir Flow: Reimagining Menstruation in India (2021) details her journey. She teaches sustainable entrepreneurship at IIM Ahmedabad and mentors female founders through her Moonshot Fund initiative.