Girl students to get sanitary napkin vending machine at civic schools

STUDENTS CAN BUY SANITARY NAPKINS BY PAYING RS2 FOR A NAPKIN. THIS WILL PROMOTE HYGIENE AMONG THEM

CBD BELAPUR: Girl students in civic schools will now be provided sanitary napkins by Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation ( NMMC).

In a pilot project, the NMMC has installed sanitary napkin vending machine at a civic school Rajshri Chattrapati Shahu Maharaj Vidyalay in Ambedkar Na g ar, Rabale. Students can buy sanitary napkins for a nominal charge of Rs2 for a napkin.

The initiative is part of a series of programmes planned by the NMMC for the benefit of women.

The initiative was launched by mayor Sudhakar Sonawane on Tuesday.

“This is to ensure that girl students do not face awkward situations and also to promote hygiene among them. Such a facility will also reduce absenteeism among girls because of the issue,” said Sonawane.

“The machine’s capacity is 40 napkins and each will be given to the students at a nominal rate of Rs2,” said the mayor.

According t o Sonawane, based on the use and need of the machine in the pilot project, the programme will be implemented in other civic schools as well.

“We want to ensure that students from economically weaker sections get the best of facilities,” said Sonawane.

A guidance seminar on a ‘ Safe and happy period’ was conducted on the occasion by Sarika Gupta, a volunteer from the non- governmental organi- sation Agis.

Gupta spoke t o students of Classes 8 and 9 about the precautions they need to take during their periods. She also talked about the myths and superstitions associated with menstruation. I n an open forum, Gupta answered various questions raised by students.