Japanese consumer products giant Unicharm Corporation has pledged to bring affordable diapers and sanitary products to 36 million low-income women in the Middle East/North Africa and Asian regions. Unicharm's international expansion is expected to more than triple the company's annual production of diapers and feminine napkins from 10 billion and 12 billion by the year 2020. Forty percent of Unicharm's total hygiene products are expected to be manufactured and sold to low-income consumers in the Middle East/North Africa and Asia.

As part of its localization strategy, the company will also employ an additional 8,000 underemployed women throughout Egypt, India, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, and Vietnam nearly doubling its female workforce in these countries. By localizing production, streamlining manufacturing, and simplifying packaging, Unicharm will offer feminine napkins and diapers to low-income consumers previously unable to afford them. Access to sanitary napkins will allow women to remain active throughout their menstrual cycles.