Arunachalam Muruganantham
Sanitary Pad Innovator | Challenging Taboos & Empowering Women
About
Arunachalam Muruganantham is an activist and social entrepreneur whose low-cost sanitary pad machine has revolutionized menstrual health access in rural India. Dubbed the 'Menstrual Man', Muruganantham spent years disguised as a woman to understand the challenges women face, leading him to invent a pad-making machine that has empowered thousands of women-led micro-enterprises. His TEDx talk on breaking the silence around menstruation has been viewed over 4 million times, sparking a global movement to end period poverty and destigmatize women's health.
Talks1
How I started a sanitary napkin revolution!
When he realized his wife had to choose between buying family meals and buying her monthly "supplies," Arunachalam Muruganantham vowed to help her solve the problem of the sanitary pad. His research got very very personal -- and led him to a powerful business model. (Filmed in Bangalore as part of the TED Global Talent Search.)
At a Glance
Topics
Industries
Is this you?
Claim this profile to edit your bio, add talks, and get verified.
Know a talk we're missing?
Get in Touch
Save for Later
Frequently Appeared With
Speakers who have appeared at the same events
Aaron Horowitz
Co-Founder & CEO, Sproutel | Designing Therapeutic Robots for Children
1 shared event · TED
Aaron Maniam
Government Advisor | Navigating the Future of Work
1 shared event · TED
Aaswath Raman
Renewable Energy Researcher | Pioneering Space-Based Cooling Technologies
1 shared event · TED
Abe Davis
Video Technology Researcher | Revealing Hidden Properties Through Advanced Imaging
1 shared event · TED
Abha Dawesar
Fiction Author | Navigating the Digital Age
1 shared event · TED
Abigail Disney
Workers' Rights Advocate | Champion of Workplace Dignity and Fair Labor Practices
1 shared event · TED
Abigail Marsh
Researcher | Exploring the Psychology Behind Human Altruism
1 shared event · TED
Abigail Washburn
Musician | Bridging Folk and Global Sounds
1 shared event · TED
Similar Speakers
Speakers with related expertise
Jeremy Heimans
Social Entrepreneur | Co-Founder of Purpose
Thulasiraj Ravilla
Executive Director, LAICO | Improving Global Eye Care Access
eL Seed
Contemporary Calligraphy Artist | Cultural Bridging Through Street Art
Mitchell Besser
Founder & CEO | Revolutionizing Maternal Health in Africa