Inspiration
As a woman, I have often faced the stress of my periods starting unexpectedly while traveling. Many times, I wasn’t prepared, and in public places like metros, trains, and washrooms, sanitary napkins were simply unavailable. Even when dispensers existed, they required exact coins or Wi‑Fi payments that didn’t work — especially in trains where there is no network. In those moments, I felt completely broken. I also noticed that I wasn’t alone — so many girls have asked me for napkins in public spaces, showing that this is a shared struggle. These experiences made me realize that women urgently need a reliable, offline solution for emergency access to sanitary napkins. That realization inspired me to create "HerNeed", a project designed to ensure dignity and care for women when it matters most.
What it does
HerNeed is a smart, offline sanitary napkin dispenser designed to provide women with emergency access in public places such as metros, railway stations, and public washrooms. Offline Access: Works without coins, Wi‑Fi, or mobile networks. Rechargeable System: Women can use a simple NFC card or unique code, recharged for ₹50–₹100. Emergency Support: Even if the card balance is zero, HerNeed dispenses 2–3 napkins, with the amount deducted later. Affordable & Inclusive: Ensures that every woman, regardless of financial or technical barriers, can access napkins when needed. Public Deployment: Designed for installation in high‑traffic areas like trains, stations, and public washrooms where emergencies often occur.
How we built it
1.Dispenser Unit Mechanical design to hold and release sanitary napkins. Motorized or spring‑based mechanism for controlled dispensing. Durable casing for public spaces. 2.NFC Reader + Card System NFC reader module (reads balance from the card). Rechargeable NFC cards (like metro cards). Offline balance storage (card + machine sync). 3.Controller Microcontroller (Arduino, Raspberry Pi, or ESP32). Logic to check card balance, deduct cost, or allow emergency dispense. 4.Power Supply Rechargeable battery or solar panel for sustainability. Low‑power design to run reliably in public spaces. 5.Emergency Mode If balance = 0, dispenser still releases 2–3 napkins. System logs the negative balance for later deduction.
Challenges we ran into
Hardware reliability: Ensuring the dispenser doesn’t jam. Offline balance tracking: Syncing card and machine without internet. Maintenance: Refilling napkins regularly in busy stations. Cost efficiency: Keeping napkin price at ₹5 while covering machine costs.
Accomplishments that we're proud of
1.Identifying a real gap: We recognized that women often face emergencies when periods start unexpectedly in public spaces, and existing solutions (coin machines, Wi‑Fi payments) fail at those critical moments. 2.Designing an offline solution: We built a dispenser that works with NFC cards or unique codes, ensuring access even without coins, internet, or mobile networks. 3.Emergency support feature: Even when a card has no balance, HerNeed still dispenses 2–3 napkins, guaranteeing dignity and care in urgent situations. 4.Affordable pricing model: By buying napkins in bulk and pricing them at ₹5 each, we created a system that is both affordable for women and financially sustainable. 5.Social impact focus: We shifted the narrative from “hygiene” to emergency dignity and care, making HerNeed a project driven by compassion rather than profit.
What we learned
Women’s real needs are often overlooked: Existing public solutions like coin‑operated or Wi‑Fi‑based dispensers don’t work in emergencies, especially in trains or places with poor connectivity. Technology must be simple: Offline systems using NFC cards or unique codes are far more reliable than depending on coins or internet access. Emergency dignity matters more than hygiene: The project is not about general cleanliness — it’s about ensuring women never feel helpless when their periods start unexpectedly. Affordability and sustainability can coexist: By buying napkins in bulk and pricing them at ₹5 each, we can keep costs low for women while maintaining a self‑sustaining model. Social innovation requires empathy: Listening to real experiences and struggles helped us design HerNeed as a solution rooted in compassion, not profit. Scalability depends on partnerships: To reach metros, railway stations, and public washrooms, collaboration with authorities and NGOs is essential.
What's next for HerNeed
Awareness Campaigns: Educate women about the availability of HerNeed dispensers through posters, announcements, and community outreach. Technology Upgrade: Explore mobile recharge options, solar‑powered dispensers, and multilingual interfaces for inclusivity. Sustainability: Use bulk purchasing and eco‑friendly napkins to keep costs low (₹5 per napkin) while maintaining financial viability. Feedback Loop: Continuously improve based on user experiences, ensuring dignity, reliability, and care remain at the heart of the project.
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