Request for Proposal

Reusable sanitary napkin feasibility assessment


Oxfam employs more than six thousand people in 90 countries who share a commitment to work together to end poverty and suffering. It is committed to ensure diversity and gender equality within the organization and welcomes applications from women, person with disability and under-represented groups. Oxfam does not discriminate against applicants or employees based on their HIV/AIDS status. The organization has been working in Bangladesh since the War of Independence and has established a permanent country office in 1972. Since then it has responded to all major emergencies in the country. Oxfam’s current program focuses on Economic Justice & Resilience, Gender and Women’s Leadership and Humanitarian Capacity Building and Response.

A simple, inescapable truth underlines everything we do at Oxfam. There’s enough wealth in this world to go around. It’s not unfortunate that people live in poverty. It’s unjustifiable. It’s not their problem. It’s ours too. And with the right support, we can stop poverty and suffering in their tracks. More than 8,000 people already commit their time and talents to our humanitarian and long-term development projects. Now we’re looking for yours.


Oxfam in Bangladesh is looking for a qualified Consultant or a Consultancy Firm for “Developing a Psychosomatic Module Training Manual and Conduct Training of Trainers (ToT) on Psychosomatic Module for the Gender Justice and Social Inclusion Programme.” We are inviting for proposal from interested consultancy firm / individual to undertake this assignment.

Background:

Oxfam’s involvement in Bangladesh began in 1970, assisting the then cyclone victims, and supporting the people of Bangladesh during the 1971 Liberation War. Oxfam was one of only three organizations honored as a Friend of the Bangladesh Liberation War in 2012. Oxfam’s goal is to create a vibrant and equitable society across Bangladesh, where women and men are empowered, jointly exercising leadership and good governance towards building resilient communities.

Since August 2017, when thousands of Rohingya people fled the violence of Myanmar to seek refuge across the border of Bangladesh, Oxfam has started responding to this massive humanitarian crisis. Along with food, cash, WASH and other supports, Oxfam has been working for Rohingya community development in various aspect. Fenced by poverty and cultural barrier, marginalized women and adolescent of Bangladesh have always been confined to their ascriptive role in the interior; adhering to the age-old believe often comesat an expense of their personal hygiene and physical well-being. Among the taboos and superstitions that are widely known for hindering healthy and hygienic living, the misconceptions related to menstruation is at the very top for both adolescents and adult women. According to Bangladesh National Hygiene Survey 2018, among menstruating girls and women, old cloth was the predominant menstruation management material (79%) among which 12% of schoolgirls, 23% of girls at home and 27% of women washed cloth appropriately. Disposable pads were used by about 62% of adolescents (rural: 10%, urban: 21%). 56%of adult women (rural: 10%, urban: 33%). The majority used old cloth for menstruation management which was significantly more. From households, around one‐tenth of adolescents and one‐tenth of adult women used a disposable pad during menstruation. Most used old cloth (86%), some of whom do not use soap or an improved water source for washing and rinsing and many dry cloths in hiding.

Referring above national context Cox’s Bazar is one of the most vulnerable and poorest districts of Bangladesh due to its geographical, social, and economic condition. Since 2017’s mass Rohingya influx, the refugees and the host communities of the surroundings are suffering inevitably from many socio-economic, socio-cultural, physical and protection issues. COVID-19 had also made the situation bring unprecedented loss and suffering to people’s lives and livelihoods. Teknaf and Ukhiya Upazila which are the main shelter hub for Rohingyas are worst affected by many disproportionate crises. The education level of the refugees is very low to mark as a basic level and so on the host community. However, low education facilities also made them very unaware of the basic hygiene practices. Likewise, women and adolescent girls face many barriers to going to the educational institutes, which resulted in their lack of menstrual hygiene management (MHM) knowledge and access to any safe sanitary napkin/ pad. According to UNICEF, millions of girls, women, transgender men and non-binary persons are unable to manage their menstrual cycle in a dignified and healthy way1. As 52% of the displaced population of the Rohingya refugee camp are women and adolescents, it’s a crucial need for them to manage their menstrual health hygienically and in a dignified way 2.

Considering the needs of those vulnerable women and girls’ OXFAM’s EFSVL team is implementing a skill development activity under its DEC Appeal fund, Oxfam Hongkong, and other internal Oxfam funds (e.g. Oxfam Intermon, Australian Philanthropy etc.). This activity supports the refugees and vulnerable women of the host community to develop their skills in reusable sanitary napkin production. Those reusable napkins are basically made of cloth. By sewing or producing those sanitary napkins, they get a fair amount of money to support their family and to become enhance their self-reliance. On the other hand, those produced reusable sanitary napkins are distributed to the vulnerable women and adolescent girls’ group of camps, host community and to other NGOs, INGOs etc.

Approximately, 260,000 sanitary napkins were produced and distributed to 150,000 women and adolescent girls in the camps, host community and to other Oxfam’s local partners, NGOs, INGOs etc. According to the user feedbacks (e.g. Rapid SN assessment), the napkins are washable, long lasting, comfortable, cost effective, sustainable, and environment friendly. On average, each woman or adolescent girl needs three pads per day (with each pad used for three to four hours and after every use, the pads can be washed in warm water with detergent or soap and dried under direct sunlight for next use). Three pads can therefore last for at least two months. These napkins are produced in a standard size which are convenient for all aged users. These activities have been field-tested, for instance, between April 2019 and March 2020, Coast Trust implemented a pilot programme on washable sanitary pad making in Camp 14 and washable sanitary pads were well-received. In addition, a reusable sanitary napkin production guideline was also developed in consultation with the NGO Forum and Coast Trust to follow that tool during train the trainers (ToT) and to disseminate the knowledge during participants’ training. Nevertheless, an in-depth assessment/study of that reusable napkin is still needed for understanding the feasibility, user perception and gaps for learning and future improvement of that activity.

Objective:

The overall objective of the assessment is to assess the quality of the reusable sanitary napkin in consideration of-

  • Testing the quality of the materials: Chemical composition, absorbency, and microbial effects of the cloth materials used like flannel cloth and the absorbent layer.
  • Testing the environmental friendliness of the napkin: If those napkins are disposable and may pose any possible risks and exposure of health and environmental hazards.
  • Assessing the user perception and effectiveness of the product regarding its design, size, comfort and management like washing, drying, storing of the napkin, with longevity

Please refer to the detailed ToR (Click here) for this assignment.

Proposal submission Instruction:


  • The individual/firm must submit the following documents along with Technical & Financial Proposal.
  • The financial proposal should include 15% VAT only. Oxfam will deduct Income Tax and VAT as per

1“Menstrual hygiene: Gender inequality, cultural taboos and poverty can cause menstrual health needs to go unmet.” https://www.unicef.org/wash/menstrual-hygiene

2ISCG 2019, Gender Profile No.2 For Rohingya Refugee Response Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh (as of March 2019).iscg_gender_profile_no._2_rohingya_refugee_response_30march2019.pdf government rules and policies at source from the agreed consultancy amount for national consultant and firms.

For Individual Consultant:

  • Maximum 2 pages’ profile highlighting related assignment completed with client name, contract person and mobile number along with detailed CV.
  • TIN certificate and any other relevant document (if necessary).

For Consultancy Firm:

  • Maximum 2 pages’ firm profile highlighting related assignment completed with client name, contract person and mobile number.
  • Lead Consultant’s (who will lead the assignment) Maximum 2 pages CV highlighting related assignment completed, role in of the completed assignment.
  • Other Team members’ (who will involve in the assignment) one paragraph short CV highlighting related assignment completed and role.
  • Firm’s Certificate, TIN and VAT registration, Trade License.

Please mention the assignment title Reusable Sanitary Napkin Feasibility Assessment in the subject line and send the application to hrbd@oxfam.org.uk.

Submit two separate PDF files with following names:

  1. Financial proposal
  2. Technical proposal

The Technical proposal should include following parts

  • Cover page
  • Table of content
  • Understanding of the assignment (pls. don’t copy & paste)
  • Experience in handling similar assignments, a work-plan, methodology
  • Certificate: TIN and VAT registration, Trade License

PROPOSAL SUBMISSION DEADLINE: 23 August, 2022

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Note: All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and may be subject to appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks.