In an attempt to make the menstrual hygiene products more accessible to rural women, the Indian government has decided to reduce the price of these bio-degradable sanitary napkins, Suvidha. These napkins, which used to be sold for Rs. 10 will now be available for Rs. 4. The pack contains 4 sanitary napkins. These sanitary napkins by the government were usually available at Jan Aushadhi Kendras.
“We are launching oxo-biodegradable sanitary napkins at Re 1 from tomorrow. These napkins under the brand name Suvidha will be available at 5,500 Jan Aushadhi Kendras across the country. Currently, the manufacturers are supplying the sanitary napkins at their cost of production. So, we will provide a subsidy to bring down the retail price.” Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers Mansukh Mandaviya told.
The sanitary napkins scheme was announced on March 2018 and those were made available in the Jan Aushadhi Kendras from May 2018.
Details About Suvidha Sanitary Napkins
You can find more information about the Jan Aushadhi centres and scheme if you visit the Jan Aushadhi website. You can locate the nearest Jan Aushadhi centre to you in Google or else you can also buy them online through Amazon and other online retailers as well.
Why Is This Move Appreciable?
India comprises of about 355 million menstruating girls and women and there is a lack of awareness about menstruation among many. There are a lot of menstrual taboos that the women in our country believe in. It is hard to believe that even the literate ones are not a restriction in this matter.
In the backdrop of such an environment where girls are dropping out of schools and believing several taboos related to menstruation, this simple scheme is not going to bring any change. There should be a supportive environment for the women in the rural areas which helps them in educating such issues and making them aware.
Majority of women use unhygienic products during menstruation, such as wood shavings, fibres, and old dirty clothes that may cause fungal infections, Reproductive Tract Infection, Urinary Tract Infection, cervical cancer and also make women vulnerable to infertility. Moreover, the disposal of non-biodegradable sanitary napkins available today creates a huge environmental problem. So, this move by the government is definitely an appreciable one
