Rajasthan's New Year Gift To Girls Is Sanitary Pad Vending Machines In All Govt Colleges

In February 2018, former Chief Minister of Rajasthan Vasundhara Raje had announced that sanitary napkins will be provided to women in rural areas.

The announcement was made as part of a new health scheme which will promote menstrual hygiene. PTI had reported that Rs 76 crore was also allotted for this initiative. As the world welcomes 2019, Rajasthan¡¯s new scheme will soon become a reality.

Sanitary napkin vending machines will be installed in all 189 government colleges, Times of India reported. The decision was made by the department of higher education and will be implemented from next academic session starting July 2019.

Photo: Twitter/Free sanitary pads being distributed to girls in govt school in Rajasthan

As per the scheme, sanitary napkins will be distributed to women aged between 15 and 45 in schools, colleges, anganwadi centres as well as sub-health centres. Bhanwar Singh Bhati of the higher education department told TOI that the proposal was being sent to the government. ¡°An allocation of Rs 2.5 crore is required.¡± he further said.

Health and education remain two important areas that need immediate attention in Rajasthan. The measure is a part of the newly elected government- Indian National Congress¡¯ 60 day programme where government college education was also made free for girls.

Photo: Twitter

Menstruation still remains a taboo in many states of India, especially in rural areas. Not maintaining proper menstrual hygiene can result in serious infections and health issues among adolescent girls. Absence of or expensive cost of sanitary napkins makes them a luxury for many women residing in backward areas.

Many awareness campaigns have also been organised in the state. Local level village representatives, women self help groups, and corporate organisations have been roped to break eerie silence around this topic among young girls and women.

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During menstruation, women go through many emotional and physical changes in their mind and body. However, girls studying particularly in government schools remained clueless or ignorant about this social issue and refrained from discussing it among their peers.