Free sanitary pads in schools, govt launches menstrual hygiene program

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Awareness about menstruation is important for both boys and girls during their studies, says Minister Veena George. The Minister said that the implementation of the menstrual hygiene program will help the boys in the respective schools to develop a sense of menstruation as a natural and biological process, thereby changing their attitude towards their classmates and getting that kind of education. The minister was inaugurating the Women's Development Corporation's menstrual hygiene program.

It marks the beginning of a project of great importance for social, educational and health reasons. This is a program specifically designed for teenagers, especially girls in classes 6 to 12. It is important to ensure the health care of girls at this age. Through this scheme, the menstrual period of students from socially and economically backward families is made healthy and hygienic under the care of the government.

Quality safety pads and accessories will be provided free of cost to teenage girls in schools to promote better hygiene practices. Kerala will be the first state in India to fully implement this scheme. This is also one of the objectives of the state government. The systems for disposal of menstrual waste will be ensured in an environmentally friendly manner. Minister Veena George said that the services of senior teachers / school counselors are being utilized to create an environment for discussing and resolving adolescent health issues of girls.

The MHM theme was released by Public Education Minister V Sivankutty. V Sivankutty said that the education department is giving all support to this program. "May this program help change the misconceptions that exist in our society about menstruation which is only a biological process. Even in Kerala, which claims complete literacy, there are those who argue that women are impure, even in the 21st century. It was due to their ignorance that a natural feature given to woman by nature was considered unclean in the past. But science has made amazing strides but the women are kept away in the name of menstruation. Girls need to be convinced that menstruation is not a barrier to independent living. Not only girls but also boys need to understand this. Only then will gender justice be ensured", he said.

Chairperson KS Saleekha presided over the function which was welcomed by VC Bindu, Managing Director, Women Development Corporation. K Beji George, Chairman, HLL Life Care Ltd. and S Asha, Manager, Women Development Corporation Projects were present.