Blue Lotus

Menstrual equity refers to achieving equal access to menstrual hygiene products, education, and information. However, despite its crucial importance, menstrual equity remains a highly stigmatized and overlooked global issue that hinders the full potential of menstruators. Insufficient support for menstruators creates significant barriers, preventing gender equity opportunities by impeding their ability to attend school and thrive in the workplace.

Menstruation-related absences from school have become a major concern for individuals due to factors such as period pain, limited access to menstrual products, and the stigma surrounding menstruation itself. Shockingly, UNESCO estimates that approximately 1 in 10 girls in Sub-Saharan Africa miss school during their menstrual periods, resulting in an average loss of 20% of school days in a year. In India, it is estimated that nearly 23 million girls drop out of school annually due to menstruation-related issues. Similarly, a study conducted in Bangladesh revealed that approximately 40% of girls reported missing school during their menstrual cycles. Moreover, research conducted in Ghana highlighted that girls miss an average of 5 days of school per month due to menstruation.

Menstruation has a profound impact on workplace productivity and the sense of belonging, both of which are crucial factors for overall performance and can directly influence pay, promotions, and career advancement opportunities for menstruators. A study conducted in the United Kingdom found that around 80% of women reported a decline in productivity at work due to their menstrual cycle. Additionally, according to a survey by the Workforce Institute, 40% of women reported that period-related symptoms negatively affected their ability to perform their job effectively. The same survey also revealed that 67% of women felt uncomfortable discussing menstrual symptoms with their employer or manager, which could hinder their ability to seek necessary accommodations or support. In the United States, a study reported that women lose an average of 1.5 workdays per month due to menstrual symptoms, leading to decreased productivity. Appallingly, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) estimated that employers in the United States lose an average of $1,732 per employee per year due to menstrual-related symptoms and absenteeism.

By improving menstrual equity, we can break down the barriers that restrict the potential of menstruators, allowing them to flourish academically, professionally, and personally.

Blue Lotus is an innovative platform (app) designed for institutions such as schools and corporations, aiming to connect individuals who menstruate within their community to a comprehensive support network, valuable learning materials, and essential care resources. Its purpose is to empower menstruators at every stage of their menstrual cycle, enabling them to unlock their full potential. Blue Lotus comprises three key components:

1. Support Network: Blue Lotus facilitates connections within communities through the guidance of wellness experts. This network offers reliable support for menstruators, allowing them to seek answers to their inquiries and join closed circles where they can learn and grow in their unique menstruation journey. The support provided is culturally responsive and localized, ensuring that individuals receive tailored care.

1. Education Resources: Blue Lotus offers a wealth of resources for students and employees, including clinician-led workshops and bite-sized learning materials. These educational materials aim to reduce stigma, address individual and community challenges, and empower menstruators to reach their full potential. The resources cover various aspects of physical, mental, and socio-cultural wellbeing throughout the menstrual cycle.

1. Menstrual Care Resources: Blue Lotus provides practical solutions for corporations to implement menstrual hygiene and care products in their workplaces. These resources are designed to be affordable, accessible, and safe, catering to the specific needs of the community. By ensuring the availability of such resources, Blue Lotus contributes to a supportive and inclusive environment that prioritizes the wellbeing of menstruators.

With Blue Lotus, institutions can create an environment where menstruators are fully supported, equipped with knowledge, and provided with necessary care resources. This platform aims to break down barriers, promote gender equity, and empower individuals to thrive throughout their menstrual cycles.

Blue Lotus is dedicated to breaking down the significant barriers that communities and individuals who menstruate face, reducing absenteeism and improving productivity related to menstruation. Our goal is to promote greater gender equity in both education and professional growth opportunities. Blue Lotus focuses on two key sectors and their respective communities:

• Schools (Primary, Secondary, and High School): Blue Lotus provides schools with a secure platform that fosters connections and growth among students, parents, and educators. Our platform offers premenstrual and menstrual literacy resources to combat period stigma and create a supportive environment that promotes gender equity within the school community.

• Workplaces (with in-person activities and a commitment to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion): Blue Lotus collaborates with employers to develop customized solutions for workplaces. We help equip workspaces with essential menstrual hygiene and care products for employees and provide access to a mobile platform. This platform serves as a valuable resource for menstruator employees, allowing them to connect with others and access information on menstrual wellness.

By partnering with Blue Lotus, schools can create a safe and inclusive environment that supports students' menstrual needs, fostering gender equity and empowering them to thrive academically. Similarly, workplaces that prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion can rely on Blue Lotus to implement tailored solutions that address the unique requirements of menstruating employees. By ensuring access to menstrual hygiene products and facilitating knowledge sharing, we contribute to a workplace culture that values the wellbeing of all employees.

Through our efforts in schools and workplaces, Blue Lotus strives to remove barriers, combat stigma, and promote gender equity. We believe that by addressing the specific challenges faced by menstruators, we can create opportunities for education and professional growth that are truly inclusive and supportive.

We are well-positioned to deliver this solution due to our team's unique backgrounds, personal experiences, and deep understanding of the challenges surrounding menstruation and gender equity. Our leader, Eva Althaus, immigrated to the United States in 2020 from a low-income community in Mexico City. Her own life experiences have shaped her belief in the transformative power of exposing girls to big ideas and providing platforms that remove the barriers they face, enabling them to thrive.

Eva's personal encounters with frustrations in understanding the menstrual cycle, cultural stigma, and difficulties accessing the right products have fueled her determination to address these inequalities. In 2022, she initiated research at the Institute of Design, focusing on the inequalities and emotions experienced during menstruation shopping. Through extensive interviews and surveys with women, Eva discovered the strong desire for open conversations about menstruation and the need to address the barriers and emotions associated with it. This realization led to the creation of 'Blue Lotus.'

The team expanded with the addition of Mrinal Bhatia from India and Octavia Louis, who has Haitian heritage but is based in the United States. Both Mrinal and Octavia immediately recognized the importance of the problem Eva was aiming to solve and joined the team. As a team of minority women hailing from cultures with deeply stigmatized backgrounds around menstruation, we firmly believe that menstrual care, free from shaming, should be accessible to everyone.

Throughout our journey, we have engaged in prototyping, pitching, and engaging in conversations with diverse audiences, including women from different countries, business advisors, influencers, and individuals with conservative views. These interactions have allowed us to iterate our design and gain valuable insights. We have recognized that the major barriers to achieving menstrual justice revolve around the lack of education, community support, and access to affordable and appropriate products.

At Blue Lotus, our focus is on creating empowerment, fostering a sense of belonging, and promoting menstrual equity. We understand that menstrual equity is not a generic concept but rather about individuals with specific needs and experiences. To design the most effective solution, we prioritize authentic conversations and seek access to diverse stories. It is crucial for girls and menstruators to see and connect with advocates who look like them, ensuring that their voices are heard and their future is championed.

What sets Blue Lotus apart from being just a concept is that it has evolved into a tested prototype. In the fall of 2022, Eva M. Althaus initially conceived the idea. To validate and refine the concept, our team conducted various methods of testing, including in-depth user interviews and utilizing the Kano Model. This process allowed us to gather valuable insights and feedback.

Building upon this foundation, we transformed the concept into a tangible prototype. The prototype underwent rigorous testing, including user testing and system usability tests. These tests enabled us to evaluate the functionality, user experience, and overall viability of our solution. By actively engaging with our target audience and incorporating their input, we were able to iteratively refine and improve our solution.

Recognizing the importance of business development, we joined the 2023 spring incubation program at the IIT Kaplan Startup Accelerator. Through this program, we received expert coaching and guidance in developing a robust business model. Additionally, we formed a board of advisors comprising executive-level professionals from various companies and institutions in Chicago and Mexico. Our board of advisors provides invaluable insights and strategic guidance, and we maintain regular communication with them to share updates on our progress.

Our dedication and hard work were recognized when Blue Lotus participated in the semifinals of the Kaplan Institute Pitch Tank, where we were honored with the "Audience Choice" award. This recognition further validates the strength and potential of our prototype.

Through the rigorous testing, participation in startup programs, and recognition received, Blue Lotus has evolved from a concept into a developed and tested prototype. We are confident in the effectiveness and viability of our solution, and we are ready to move forward with implementation and scaling to make a real impact on menstrual equity.

We firmly believe that menstrual equity is a fundamental pillar of gender equity, as it affects nearly 50% of the global population and has far-reaching impacts on various aspects of societal development. Addressing such a complex challenge requires a collaborative effort, similar to building a village.

Participating in the MIT Gender Equity in STEM Challenge provides us with an invaluable opportunity to seek guidance on refining our solution and enhancing our team's competencies. We are eager to leverage this platform to learn how to drive effective change and make a meaningful impact. Additionally, we aim to forge partnerships with like-minded organizations and individuals who can help us open doors and change mindsets, particularly within governments, schools, and corporations worldwide. By forming these partnerships, we can amplify our efforts and extend our reach.

Lastly, we recognize the importance of securing funding to successfully launch and scale our solution on a global level. We are actively seeking financial support that will enable us to implement and expand our initiatives, ultimately making menstrual equity a reality for menstruators worldwide.

By participating in the MIT Gender Equity in STEM Challenge, connecting with strategic partners, and securing the necessary funding, we are committed to driving meaningful change and advancing menstrual equity as a critical element of gender equity. Together, we can create a more inclusive and equitable world for all.

Eva Althaus, our team leader, has deep connections to the community or communities in which our project is based. As an immigrant woman of color (Hispanic-Latino), she resides in the south side of Chicago, where she actively engages with and understands the challenges faced by underprivileged individuals.

Having grown up in a low-income community in Mexico, Eva has firsthand experience of the obstacles and hardships faced by marginalized communities. She intimately understands the struggle to access equal opportunities as a minority in corporate workplaces. Despite these challenges, Eva has had the privilege of working for multinational companies such as Steelcase, CEMEX, Boeing, and currently Ernst & Young in change management and design strategy roles. Her professional experiences have provided her with a broad network of connections in the corporate world.

Furthermore, Eva is currently pursuing her Master of Design Methods at the IIT Institute of Design. Through her studies, she is keenly aware of the specific needs of young women in the context of academic success. During her time as a student at the Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Eva served as the North West regional president of the student charter for the Mexican Institute of Finance Executives (IMEF). In this role, she led activities for 15 different schools and collaborated with students from over 70 different schools across Mexico, focusing on promoting financial literacy among students and low-income communities.

Eva's personal background, her experiences as an immigrant woman of color, her professional network, and her involvement in supporting educational initiatives all contribute to her strong connections with the community. She brings a deep understanding of the challenges faced by marginalized individuals and is committed to creating positive change and empowering those in need.