Be Girl FlexiPads

Target SDGs

Market Suggested Retail Price

$9.00

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Household

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

Be Girl

Competitive Landscape

Direct competitors include AFRIpads Menstrual Kit, Be Girl PeriodPanty, Real Relief Safepad, Saathi Pads, MakaPads Sanitary Pads, and Lunapads.

Manufacturing/Building Method

The Be Girl FlexiPad^TM is manufactured in China.

Intellectural Property Type

Patent

User Provision Model

Be Girl FlexiPads^TM can also be purchased directly from the Be Girl site or distributors. Donated panties will be distributed by a non-profit partner.

Distributions to Date Status

Be Girl has distributed 57,534 panties and pads

Design Specifications

Be Girl FlexiPads^TM have features a leak-proof nylon inner layer and stain-free material and includes one microfiber towel insert. It is 100% polyester and holds 50 mL of liquid.

Product Schematics

Technical Support

There is a FAQ page, and instructions for use are found here:

Replacement Components

The product works with both disposable and reusable materials, such as cloth, cotton, wool or toilet paper.

Lifecycle

Estimated to last at least 2 years with proper care.

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

Manufacturer specified performance includes the leakproof nylon inner layer, quick-drying, minimal water use, and two-year lifespan.

Vetted Performance Status

Be Girl manufactures products only at suppliers that are appropriately International Organization for Standardization (ISO) certified (both ISO 9001 and ISO 14001). Be Girl also works with third-party quality control agents in China to ensure that Be Girl's high product standards are met. Be Girl panties and pads have been used by 57,534 girls globally.

Safety

Absorbent material needs replacing every few hours. Experts have indicated that the availability of clean absorbent material such as toilet paper or clean cloths is essential. If women use contaminated (reused) absorbent materials, the potential health benefit is diminished. Maintenance instructions from Be Girl:

Be Girl FlexiPad^TM should be washed once a day to ensure good menstrual hygiene. To help the products last two years or more, we highly recommend gently hand-washing and hang-drying. To hand-wash:

1. Separate the towel from the panty or pad and soak separately for about 20 minutes.

2. Use soap to gently wash both pieces. Do not scrub too forcefully.

3. To remove water, gently squeeze in the palm of your hand. Do not wring out or twist.

4. Hang to dry in a ventilated area.

To machine wash, remove the towel from the pocket and launder in cold water using the machine’s delicates or hand wash setting. Once clean, hang out to dry in a ventilated area. Do not machine dry because it will ruin the materials.

Complementary Technical Systems

Be Girl offers towel inserts or reusable liners.

Academic Research and References

Compliance with regulations

Be Girl states, "Be Girl manufactures products only at suppliers that are appropriately International Organization for Standardization (ISO) certified (both ISO 9001 and ISO 14001)."

Evaluation methods

Be Girl works with third-party quality control agents in China to ensure that Be Girl’s product standards are met.

Other Information

Be Girl FlexiPads^TM have been recognized with the following awards: - A’Design Award Silver Social Design Award (2015) - Halcyon Incubator, First Cohort of fellow (2014) - CORE 77 Design Awards, Design for Social impact (2012) - BID 12 III Bienal Iberoamericana de Diseño, Design for Sustainability