#16 Ultra Violet-C Irradiation Based Disinfection System, a product based initiative, developed by WatCities
Rahfatun Nisa Nova, Netherlands

Ultra Violet-C Irradiation Based Disinfection System, a product based initiative, developed by WatCities

Rahfatun Nisa Nova, Netherlands

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Initiative's goals  

Some of the leading development organizations from the Bangladeshi wash sector produce handmade, low-cost, biodegradable sanitary napkins for low-income communities who have minimum knowledge and access to healthy menstrual hygiene.

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 The nature of the handmade production has a significant risk of Microbial contamination, specially while handling the raw materials. In this context, WatCities partners with these organizations to provide its affordable Ultra Violet-C Irradiation Based Disinfection System to disinfect the locally made low-cost sanitary napkins. It ensures a healthy standard of menstrual hygiene for the poor communities of Bangladesh.

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 This initiative aims to establish hygienic menstrual health as a fundamental right for a significant number of the female population. Besides supporting the production of handmade, biodegradable sanitary napkins, this initiative helps minimize plastic pollution.

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Main activities

WatCities partners with different development organizations in the Bangladeshi wash sector and provides necessary technical support. As a Business to business(B2B) service, WatCities designs and manufactures UV Disinfection Box as per the demand and deliver them directly to the corresponding clients.

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Once the disinfection system is delivered to the location, WatCities trains the workers involved in sanitary napkin production on how to disinfect the items accurately.

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In order to get to the next level, the project needs:

1. Funding- With substantial funding, WatCities can conduct more technical research on its UVC-based product development. WatCities can also scale up, producing more UVC- Ultra Violet-C Irradiation Based Disinfection Systems. Given the opportunity, WatCities can launch its production unit to manufacture biodegradable and low-cost sanitary napkins and directly facilitate the women living in urban slums in big cities of Bangladesh.

2. Marketing Skills-WatCities is a non-profit social enterprise, and its members are working to bring a positive change in sanitation in Bangladesh. However, a lack of funding and capacity building in marketing skills creates a gap for WatCities to create proper channels to reach potential clients and investors.