Vijayawada Oct. 05: Andhra Pradesh Government to provide Free Branded Sanitary Napkins to female students populus in Government Schools under “Sweksha”. Still, in most parts of the country, menstruation is considered a taboo subject, and discussions about it are avoided. Poverty and harmful traditions can turn menstruation into a time of deprivation and stigma, leading to another common misconception that women and girls have diminished capacities, whether physical or emotional, due to their menstrual cycles. These ideas can create barriers to opportunities, reinforcing gender inequality. In truth, most women and girls do not have their abilities hindered in any way by menstruation, the lack of the right products and guidance contributes majorly to women and girls being held back when experiencing their period. To tackle this stigma, prioritize female personal hygiene and encourage a healthy dialogue of information, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy launched the ‘Swechha’ programme on Tuesday. ‘Swechha’ (meaning freedom) is intended to ensure affordable access to health and menstrual hygiene in adolescent girls and women.
• ‘One should not shy away from talking about Menstruation; We need to create more awareness among female students and educate them on safe practices’ AP CM
Under the initiative, the state government will provide good quality branded sanitary napkins to female students at government educational institutions free of cost. Ten sanitary napkins will be given every month to about *10 lakh adolescent girls studying from 7th-12th grades in all government schools and intermediate colleges across the state at a financial outlay of INR 32 crores. A total of 120 napkins per year is allotted to every female student, even during summer vacations, the students will be supplied with their quota before they leave school. The free branded sanitary products being supplied are a result of the state government entering MOUs with corporate conglomerates like P&G and Niine Pvt Ltd, the brands being supplied in government schools are Whisper and Niine. Additionally, through the MOUs signed, Sanitary napkins will be sold at YSR Cheyutha retail stores at lowered prices to around 1 crore women residing in both rural and urban areas. Each school will have a female educator appointed as a Nodal Officer to help the female students with sanitary napkins supply, safe methods of disposal, and any assistance the students may require. Further for a safer and environment-friendly way of disposal, the state government has set up 6,417 incinerators across the state through the Clean Andhra Pradesh (CLAP) initiative.
A report from the United Nations Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council estimated that 23% of girls in India drop out of school due to lack of menstruation products, inadequate surroundings to change sanitary napkins, lack of running water, and absence of disposal facilities. The State Government, through initiatives like Swechha, Mana Badi Nadu-Nedu, is making proactive steps in ensuring that the female student population continues to receive an education by providing all the aforementioned facilities required to empower and retain their students. Restroom facilities for girls with uninterrupted water supply are being built in 56,703 government schools, hostels, and educational institutions are set to be completed by July 2023. The construction of separate restrooms in 15,715 schools has already been completed.
As part of a monthly orientation program, Nodal Officers, ANMs and Mahila Police will gather at the local Sachivalayam to educate and create awareness amongst female students studying between classes 7th-12th.
The Chief Minister said “We are a government that strongly believes that the power to change history lies with the women in our state” let us help them move forward.
Next Story:
Cyberabad Police Seize 100 Tonnes Of Chicken Waste Sold To Fish Farms
Cyberabad Police seize 100 tonnes of chicken waste sold illegally to AP fish farms. Officials warn eating such fish raises cancer risk. Mafia ignored earlier cases and continued trade.
Hyderabad Student Commits Suicide In US After Job Search
A Hyderabad student allegedly died by suicide in the US after a four month job search following his master’s degree.
Section 22A Lands : Minister Ponguleti Rebukes Opposition Claims
Section 22A Lands | Hyderabad, August 24 (Maxim News): Telangana Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy criticized opposition parties for spreading misleading information regarding Section 22A lands today. Here To Join Us On WhatsApp Addressing a press conference in the Secretariat, Hyderabad, the minister stated that critics are inventing false narratives to intimidate property owners across…
HYDRA Removes Dangerous Buildings in Anjayanagar After Collapse
Hyderabad, August 24: HYDRA Commissioner A.V. Ranganath visited Anjayanagar in Sherilingampally mandal on Monday to inspect the removal of dangerous buildings after a seven-storey structure collapsed there on Saturday. Here To Join Us On WhatsApp He conducted the field visit along with Kukatpally Zonal Commissioner Mayank Singh. CMC and HYDRA teams jointly began demolition work…
Parandur airport project to be dropped by Tamil Nadu government, announces CM Vijay
The Tamil Nadu Government has dropped the proposed Parandur Greenfield airport project. In a suo moto statement at the Assembly today, Chief Minister C.Joseph Vijay assured that the Government will drop the project as it was badly affecting the livelihood of the farmers and the villagers living in and around the area. He said that…
Now you can get latest stories from Indtoday on Telegram everyday. Click the link to subscribe. Click to follow Indtoday Facebook page and Twitter and on Instagram. For all the latest Hyderabad News updates
