Only 12% of the 355 million Indian women have access to sanitary napkins. Most women tend to tackle their periods by traditional means which are not only unhygienic but also dangerous. There are taboos surrounding menstruation that stop women from speaking up for their needs. However, the Government of India has started some schemes and projects to educate women about menstrual hygiene and to provide affordable and bio-degradable sanitary napkins. Here we will tell you some GoI initiatives to provide sanitary napkins to women in cities and rural areas as well.
Suvidha Oxo-Biodegradable Sanitary Napkins
Government of India Suvidha sanitary pads were first brought in 2018. They were priced at 2.5 rupees/sanitary napkin. But, in August 2019 government has revised its rates to merely rupees one. These Rs.1 Sanitary pads are available under Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi Yojana at Janaushadhi Stores or Pharmacies. All the states and union territories are covered with the scheme. These pads are branded as Suvidha which literally means ‘convenience’. These pads are 100% biodegradable. Manufacturers have partnered with government to develop feminine care products.
Sanitary Pad Vending Machines in Schools & Offices
23% of girls drop out of school in India when they start menstruating. This compelled government to provide sanitary napkins in schools to adolescent girls. Kerala has become the first state in India to make sanitary pad vending machines mandatory in all higher secondary schools. Many other states have launched such schemes with aim to promote girl education and menstrual hygiene.
Ajmer the First City of Sanitary Pad Vending Machines
Ajmer City in Rajasthan has become first city in India to launch across-city sanitary pad vending machines. The city is focusing on providing sanitary napkins to women at the places that are easily accessible to girls and women.
Sanitary Pad Vending Machines at Railway Stations
Government of Delhi has launched initiatives to provide Sanitary Pad Vending Machines at Ladies Toilets of Delhi Metro Stations. Similarly, sanitary pad vending machines are available in toilets of all the railway stations and ladies waiting rooms on other such public places in India, along with pad incinerators. These outlets offer easy access to menstrual sanitation where you can get a pad just by inserting few coins in the vending machine.
Government Sanitary Pad Vending Machine
Government has launched installation of electronic vending machines at schools, colleges, hospitals, bus stands, jails, and railway stations, to offer the pads to women. These pads are little costlier priced at rupees 10 per unit.
Public Sanitary Pad Incinerators
Electronic sanitary pad vending machines to burn the used pads are easily available at ladies waiting rooms of Railway Stations, bus stands, and other such public places. Incinerators placed next to machines ensure safe disposal of used pads. This has become a great step in achieving hygiene and sanitation at public places in India.
Project Bala
Not only government but there has been many social initiatives by NGOs and NPOs to make napkins affordable and eco-friendly. Project Bala, initiated by two young ladies Soumya Dabriwal and Nitisha Sethia have been a great success in educating rural women about menstrual hygiene.
