A Commitment to All Women in Madagascar
As part of the “Breaking the Rules” initiative led by TotalEnergies, ACTUAL TEXTILES, in partnership with Malagasy Women Empowerments (MWE) and OSTIE, organized an awareness day focused on period poverty. The event, held at the CONFECTEX association in Ankadikely, benefited 60 Malagasy women: employees, mothers, and young girls.
Following numerous actions by TotalEnergies to raise awareness about menstrual precarity, ACTUAL TEXTILES is now stepping up to fully engage in this societal cause. As a key player in Madagascar’s textile industry, the company is contributing by combining social responsibility, environmental commitment, and support for Malagasy women.
The Textile Industry Serving a Social Cause
Period poverty remains a major challenge in Madagascar, hindering access to education and employment for many women. Recognizing this reality, ACTUAL TEXTILES joined forces with TotalEnergies and civil society organizations to organize a solidarity event on April 3, 2025, dedicated to this issue. This initiative continues the efforts led by TotalEnergies and reflects ACTUAL TEXTILES’ commitment to social responsibility and women’s inclusion.
The event brought together influential figures from the industry, including Mrs. Mezbine HIRIDJEE and Mr. Ilann HIRIDJEE from ACTUAL TEXTILES’ General Management, and Mrs. Marième SAV SOW, Managing Director of TotalEnergies Marketing Madagascar. Their presence highlights the growing commitment of the private sector to equal opportunity and women’s well-being in Madagascar.
Eco-friendly, Locally Made Menstrual Kits
Thanks to presentations by Dr. Rotsy Rasoavelonoro (OSTIE) and a representative from MWE, participants were educated about sustainable and cost-effective alternatives such as menstrual underwear and reusable pads.
ACTUAL TEXTILES went a step further by providing a concrete, lasting solution: menstrual kits made from eco-friendly and recycled materials, crafted by the company’s own employees. By being directly involved in the production of these products, the company is demonstrating its commitment to a textile industry that is both responsible and compassionate.
The Vision of ACTUAL TEXTILES’ Leadership
On this occasion, Mrs. Mezbine HIRIDJEE and Mr. Ilann HIRIDJEE jointly declared:
“At ACTUAL TEXTILES, we strongly believe that access to safe, sustainable menstrual products should not be a privilege, but a fundamental right for all women in Madagascar. By joining the initiative led by TotalEnergies, we are taking a stand against menstrual poverty through the organization of this solidarity event.
Beyond our industrial mission, we have a social role to play. Our employees contributed to the creation of the kits distributed today, which demonstrates our desire to combine innovation, social responsibility, and sustainable development to improve women’s daily lives. We hope this initiative will inspire other companies to commit to a fairer, more inclusive future.”
A Lasting Impact for Women in Madagascar
Launched by TotalEnergies, the “Breaking the Rules” initiative marked a turning point in the fight against menstrual poverty in Madagascar. Sharing the same values of social commitment, ACTUAL TEXTILES eagerly joined this initiative, convinced that every company has a role to play in improving women’s well-being.
This movement targets all women in Madagascar, focusing on sustainable, accessible, and environmentally friendly solutions. By joining forces, TotalEnergies, ACTUAL TEXTILES, and their partners are helping to break menstrual taboos and provide concrete alternatives to women—whether they are workers, students, or mothers.
Thanks to this collaboration, Madagascar’s textile industry is proving it can be a driver of social change by investing in impactful initiatives that benefit society as a whole.
Let’s Take Action Together!
This effort is a step toward greater inclusion of women in Madagascar. Let’s raise awareness about period poverty and encourage the adoption of sustainable, accessible solutions for all women.
