Ruby Cup

Ruby Cup menstrual cup

Ruby Cup is a social business venture, founded in 2011. It can be classified as a social enterprise[1] based on its applied commercial strategies and commitment to sustainable social objectives. Ruby Cup manufactures, sells and donates menstrual cups - terming their product Ruby Cup. Menstrual cups are a longer lasting alternative to other sanitary products, and are considered to be a safer menstruation solution, with no health risks or complications yet associated. Ruby Cup combines the benefits of a healthy hygiene product, with a positive social and environmental impact. The product is linked to an ongoing social mission in developing countries that aims to tackle the restrictions and overcome the barriers that menstruating women and girls often face. Lack of available and affordable hygiene solutions can present a monthly struggle for girls, and subsequently they are absenting from school, and missing education opportunities.[2] Through tying global sales to menstrual cup donations, Ruby Cup endeavor to improve menstrual hygiene for women and girls, making a positive change to education, gender equality and the future potential of young women.[3]

Product

Ruby Cups are made of 100 percent medical grade silicone and are used as an alternative to tampons or sanitary towels. As with other menstrual cups, a Ruby Cup is worn inside the vagina and collects menstrual fluid, rather than absorbing it. Owing to their durability, they are reusable for up to ten years, making them an environmentally, ecologically sound option. [4]

Company History

Ruby Cup is made by Makit, an award-winning Danish social business with a focus on social change. Ruby Cup was founded in 2011 by Maxie Matthiessen, Veronica D'Souza and Julie Weigaard Kjær at the Copenhagen Business School. Their business plan combined product innovation with social, financial and environmental sustainability. The first steps were to conduct initial surveys to assess local needs in Kenya where the product could provide sustainable and healthy solutions for women.[5] In the same year, development and production of a sustainable product began. At present, the company is jointly managed by Maxie Matthiessen and Julie Weigaard Kjær. Ruby Cup have two offices, located in Berlin , Germany and in Nairobi , Kenya.

Enterprise model

Ruby Cup as a social enterprise, refers to many of the principles of social entrepreneurship.[6] The term social entrepreneurship[7] matches this particular enterprise model, but is a wider term that relates to both business and nonprofit sectors which have broad social, cultural and environmental goals.[8] Social enterprises can be described and summarised in different ways, and a number of German studies have closely considered terms for categorisation.[9] In Germany, where the Ruby Cup office is based, social businesses tend to operate in small teams, and often with the support of volunteers. Ruby Cup describe themselves as a social economic enterprise[10] and their social mission has a specific focus on Kenya.[11][12] They offer menstrual cups on a "Buy One, Give One" basis, i.e. "buy one, donate one", which means that in developed countries, for each menstrual cup that is sold, one is donated to a girl in Kenya . Initial stages of the company’s social focus have looked at Kenya and other African countries, where research has been conducted to explore the viability of distributing menstrual cups, and supplemental education to women and girls. The product can also be sold by local women, who earn additional money to support livelihoods.[13]

Objectives

In many countries across the world, menstruation can be a problem, as women and girls may have no access to hygiene products, or simply cannot afford them.[14] These women often experience exclusion from society, and school or work can be disrupted or restricted due to lack of available solutions. Investigative studies identify one of the main causes of early school leaving as the lack of hygiene products available for menstruating women and girls.[15][16][17] As a result, menstruation has a direct economic and educational impact. The problem is also tied to (and is an essential part of), achieving the Millennium Development Goals.[18] Menstrual cups are a solution that can help girls and women to be integrated back into their social lives. Ruby Cup is a product and a social strategy that offers women in developing countries a lifelong solution and support. Below a girl describes her life with a menstrual cup:

"When my mother had no money, I was using rags and staying at home, because I was ashamed to go to school. I was afraid that my friends will know I am menstruating and I became very shy. I am very very glad that I now have Ruby Cup, because now no one will notice that I have my period, not even my mother. I love Ruby Cup with all my heart because it helps me so much. " - Valentine Atieno : Letters to Ruby Cup[19]

Due to the longevity of the product an environmental objective is also achieved.[20][21] Conventional hygiene products can only be used once, require disposal and also have additional chemicals in their products.[22] Where purchasing disposable sanitary products is not an option, materials or fabrics are reused, posing the issue of thorough washing and outdoor sunlit drying. This is not always possible, and menstrual cups can provide an alternative option. The use of menstrual cups has also been considered a healthier option, with less risk to health through exposure to chemicals and toxins. The bacteria induced illness toxic shock syndrome, which although rare, has been associated with the use of tampons, but no such connection has yet been made to the use of menstrual cups.[23]

Awards

Ruby Cup has won several awards for its social commitment. It won The Global Social Entrepreneurship Competition 2012 (U.S.), Venture Cup 2012 (Denmark), Sustainia100 Solution, and were also nominated in Germany for the German Prize for Civic Engagement 2013.[24]

Partners

Ruby Cup is working with different companies and organizations, including the Uganda Red Cross Society , Ecotastic[25] and Days for Girls.

External links

References

  1. ↑ Mills, David. "Social enterprise". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  2. ↑ D'Souza, Veronica. "Improving menstrual hygiene". Changemakers. Retrieved 28 June 2014.
  3. ↑ Mok, Kimberley. "Buy One, Give One". Treehugger. Retrieved 28 June 2014.
  4. ↑ http://goodnewsshared.com/ruby-cups/
  5. ↑ Craig, Jill. "Sex for Sanitation". Voice of America. Retrieved 22 June 2014.
  6. ↑ Dees, J. Gregory. "The Meaning of Social Entrepreneurship. 2008". Retrieved 22 June 2014.
  7. ↑ Abu-Saifan, Samer. "Social Entrepreneurship: Definition and Boundaries". Technology Innovation Management Review. Retrieved 22 June 2014.
  8. ↑ "Global Social Entrepreneurship. 2012". University of Washington. Retrieved 18 June 2014.
  9. ↑ Scheuerle, Thomas; Glanzel, Gunnar; Knust, Rudiger; Then, Volker. "Social Entrepreneurship in Germany (German)" (PDF). Centre for Social Investment. Retrieved 20 June 2014.
  10. ↑ "Ruby Cup". Social Impact Start. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  11. ↑ "Ruby Cup in Kenya". Ruby Cup. Retrieved 22 June 2014.
  12. ↑ Pooja, Bhatia. "Menstruation is the new development fad". Ozy. Retrieved 22 June 2014.
  13. ↑ "Sida and Ruby Cup". Sanitation Updates. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  14. ↑ "Periods and Poverty". Ruby Cup. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  15. ↑ Kaiser, Stefanie. "Menstrual Hygiene Management". SSWM Sustainable sanitation and water management. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
  16. ↑ Kanyike, Florence; Akankwasa, Dorothy; Karungi, Christine. "Menstruation as a barrier to gender equality in Uganda". National Archives. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
  17. ↑ Moma, Lindlyn. "Menstrual Hygiene Management in Africa, Video of a presentation". Sustainable Sanitation Alliance, Youtube Channel. Retrieved 13 Oct 2014.
  18. ↑ Kanyike, Florence; Akankwasa, Dorothy; Karungi, Christine. "Menstruation as a barrier to gender equality in Africa". National Archives. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  19. ↑ "Letters". Ruby Cup. Retrieved 22 June 2014.
  20. ↑ Haindl, Sangeeta. "Breaking Menstrual Taboos". Just Means. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  21. ↑ Confino, Jo. "The young social entrepreneurs who are changing the world". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 June 2014.
  22. ↑ "Use of menstrual cups: Potential benefits and key challenges". Sustainable Sanitation Alliance. The African Population and Health Research Centre. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
  23. ↑ "Your body and health". Ruby Cup. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
  24. ↑ "The company". Ruby Cup. Retrieved 22 June 2014.
  25. ↑ "Partners Overview (German)". Ecotastic. Retrieved June 2014.
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