Administration launches low-cost Sanitary Napkins

Vending machines to be installed in Govt. Schools

Amritsar, Dec. 21 (Punjab Post Bureau)- In a unique endeavour to safeguard the health and hygiene of the girls of low socio economic strata, the district administration today launched a set of self manufactured low-cost sanitary napkins,which are to be made widely available to the girls of poor rural and urban households across the district through vending machines installed at various govt schools.

The idea, which is the brainchild of Deputy Commissioner Ravi Bhagat, aims to revolutionize the hygiene levels of the girls of the menstruating age group, by providing a low cost alternative to the extremely expensive and non-biodegradable sanitary pads available commercially in the market. With this initiative, he aims to bridge the gap between the health options of the rural and urban girls and empower the overall development of women in the district.

These pads are aptly called “NAARI V- CARE”, where NAARI stands for “Nari Niketan and Red Cross Initiative”. These pads will be low cost, eco-friendly and bio-degradable, thus making them easily accessible to all strata, as well as being easily disposable. These pads are being made in-house by the inmates of the State After Care Home, Nari Niketan, with the help of specially designed pad making machines. The price of a packet of five pads will be Rs. 10/-, whereas a set of two pads will cost Rs 5/- only. Further, a certain quantity of pads will be distributed free of cost to poor girls of rural and slum areas.

Adopting an innovating measure to make them easily accessible to the target population, DC Bhagat has arranged to put napkin vending machines in various Govt. Schools, as it was seen that most girls were feeling shy to go to shops to purchase the napkins. Talking about the idea, Bhagat said that he was appalled to see the poor state of the physical health of adolescent girls in rural households. This led to multiple health problems and poor immunity. also, various researches showed that the school dropout rate rapidly increased once girls reached menstruation age. with this scheme, he plans to target multiple issues. First to improve the hygiene of rural girls. Secondly the school dropout rate will come down. Thirdly, as these pads are manufactured in-house by women with little training, it will provide a good employment option and money earning source to the women, thus empowering them.

Bhagat informed that the inmate girls of Nari Niketan were already being provided training in stitching and tailoring, embroidery etc. by the district administration. Now with this unique skill set added to their kitty, the girls will be able to generate a good livelihood for themselves, as a part of the sale proceeds will go to them.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Dr. Tarundeep Kaur, Chairperson, hospital welfare section of Red Cross, Mrs. Viney Sharma, Secretary Red Cross, Satinderpal Singh DEO, Dr. Ranjit Singh Buttar Distt. Family Welfare Officer, Inderpreet Kaur, District Social Security Officer, Kiratpreet Kaur, supervisor of Nari Nniketan and Charanjeet Singh along with inmates of Nari Niketan.