In a historic achievement, She-Guard, a cleantech startup based in Pakistan, clinched victory at the ‘ClimateLaunchpad Asia-Pacific’ finals with its groundbreaking biodegradable and plastic-free sanitary product. The startup, driven by a mission to convert banana crop waste into eco-friendly sanitary napkins, addresses critical challenges in climate change, public health, and solid waste management within the country.
Facing stiff competition from 172 teams representing six Asia-Pacific countries, She-Guard’s innovative approach caught the attention of the jury. The event, organized by the Centre4 Creativity & Sustainability and funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Ireland (Irish Aid), served as a dynamic platform for climate innovators to present sustainable solutions.
The jury’s recognition of She-Guard’s realistic and scalable business plan highlighted the potential of the startup to make a significant impact on sustainability and improve the socio-economic circumstances of women globally. She-Guard’s dedication to providing affordable and sustainable menstrual hygiene products aligns with the fundamental right of all women to manage their periods hygienically.
Mehreen Raza, the founder and CEO of She-Guard, expressed gratitude for the support received from ClimateLaunchpad and emphasized the paramount importance of ensuring universal access to basic menstrual hygiene. Raza underscored the startup’s commitment to achieving this goal sustainably.
The global menstrual hygiene challenges, with plastic and chemical-based sanitary napkins affecting approximately 23 million women in Pakistan alone, underscore the urgency of innovative solutions. She-Guard’s unique approach not only addresses local issues but aims to make a broader impact globally.
ClimateLaunchPad, organized by EIT Climate-KIC, Europe’s leading climate innovation initiative, stands as the largest green business competition for climate innovators globally. Since its inception in 2013, the program has empowered individuals passionate about making a positive environmental difference through entrepreneurship.
Among other notable innovations in the competition, Vietnamese startup Alterno secured the runner-up position with its low-cost thermal energy storage solution, while Japanese startup Aonbarr claimed the third spot with a seawater-based idea to generate hydrogen as a green energy source. The success of She-Guard at ClimateLaunchpad Asia-Pacific reflects not only local ingenuity but a global commitment to sustainable solutions in the face of pressing environmental challenges.
