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FrançaisSutura: producing and marketing reusable sanitary pads in Mali
Submitted by on Wed, 07/17/2024 - 16:08
In Bamako, Mali, Sutura (2AD) aims to break down the taboo surrounding menstruation and help teenage girls and young women to thrive during their menstrual cycle by offering them suitable, environmentally-friendly period pads.
Founded in 2019, twin sisters Awa and Adam Drabo tell us about the birth of their entrepreneurial project. Sutura is supported by I&P through I&P Acceleration in Sahel, a program funded by the European Union and implemented by Zira Capital in Mali.
Watch our video
A Dedicated Journey for Women's Health in Mali
Before launching their entrepreneurial project, Awa and Adam Drabo both completed internships at the National Laboratory of Mali and the Institute of Rural Economy of Mali (IER). While working on their final thesis, they noticed that many girls stop attending school as soon as they get their first periods due to the lack of adequate menstrual protection.
Sutura, which means "intimacy and discretion" in Bambara, specializes in the production of reusable sanitary pads. In this company, which now has 15 full-time employees, Awa oversees production, raw material procurement, storage, and supplier relations. Adam handles the commercial and marketing aspects and manages the brand's communication on various social media platforms. Since its creation in 2019, Sutura has sold over 200,000 sanitary pads in Mali, providing an essential health product to thousands of women and girls.
As Awa and Adam Drabo explained in a recent article by the GIIN (Global Impact Investing Network), they face numerous taboos. For instance, until recently, it was impossible to say the words "periods" or "underwear" on television, whether in an interview or an advertisement. And if it is now possible, it is largely thanks to the commitment of the two sisters, who are mobilized on several fronts.
They conduct awareness campaigns in schools and conflict zones in the country to ensure that essential information about menstruation reaches those who need it most. Sutura has also been involved in the International Menstrual Hygiene Day, organized annually by the United Nations on May 28, to raise awareness about the lack of access to health education and hygiene products for women worldwide. Adam and Awa managed to bring together the Malian ministers of entrepreneurship, environment, and women's promotion to celebrate this day, which was broadcast on Malian television.
"As a company, it was important to have a social impact by raising awareness among young generations about menstrual hygiene, teaching them to track their menstrual cycles, avoid early pregnancies, and discuss infections" - Awa Drabo
A company supported by I&P and Zira Capital
In 2022, Sutura was funded by I&P Acceleration in the Sahel, a program funded by the European Union and deployed in Mali by our partner Zira Capital.
Sutura received a loan of 60,000 euros over two years, as well as technical support. The company's sales have doubled since the funding. With the technical assistance resources, Sutura enlisted a textile expert who helped improve product quality and source locally.
"We hope that in 10 years, we will be able to increase our production, develop the supply chain, and perhaps export abroad to have Sutura pads for all African women." - Adam Drabo
Discover GIIN's last article
Discover the company's background, vocation and vision in this short video.
Some impact figures
- 15 full-time employees, 73% of whom are women
- A network of 23 ambassadors working with the Sutura brand
- More than 250,000 sanitary pads sold
About I&P Acceleration in Sahel
Launched in 2020, I&P Acceleration in Sahel is an innovative program aimed at small businesses and start-ups in the Sahel and surrounding countries. The objective is to give these companies access to the financing and skills needed to foster their development, thus promoting the creation of decent and sustainable jobs in the region.
About Zira Capital
Zira Capital is the first impact investment fund dedicated to financing and supporting Malian SMEs and start-ups. Headed by Mohamed Keïta, Zira Capital is the sixth African fund sponsored by Investisseurs & Partenaires as part of the I&P Développement 2 fund. The fund network currently includes funds in Côte d'Ivoire (Comoé Capital), Niger (Sinergi Niger), Burkina Faso (Sinergi Burkina), Senegal (Teranga Capital) and Madagascar (Miarakap).