Kashmir’s pad woman is winning hearts

Distributing free sanitary kits in Srinagar to women who can’t afford such products is winning Irfana Zargar a million hearts and loads of appreciation in Jammu and Kashmir.

Zargar, 34, who works in a private company, quietly places ‘Eva Safety Door’ sanitary kits at some public toilets for women in Srinagar, the summer capital of the state, as a means of charity. Each kit contains sanitary pads, medicines, hand wash and sanitisers. She spends part of her salary to buy these kits and hopes that more people will support the initiative.

“The initiative is totally my own effort and is dedicated to my late father,” said Zargar who first started helping young women from poor homes to enrol in colleges.

In the Kashmir valley, which has a Muslim majority population, talking publicly about menstruation is a taboo. But Zargar’s initiative could help encourage an open discussion about the subject and dispel misconceptions about the specific health condition women endure every month.

Zargar, however, feels that her initiative now needs support from others as she plans to expand. “This is the best charity according to me,” she said. “I would welcome those who want to join in or contribute,” said Zargar who wants to cover every public washroom in Srinagar, known for its natural environment, gardens, waterfronts and houseboats. At the moment, she places these kits in five public toilets.