Amritsar: The Amritsar administration on Monday launched a low-cost sanitary napkins, which would be made widely available to girls of rural and urban households across the district through vending machines installed at various government schools.

Amritsar deputy commissioner Ravi Bhagat, who initiated the idea to install the sanitary napkin vending machines, said the purpose of the project was to revolutionise the hygiene levels of the girls of the menstruating age group by providing a low-cost alternative to the extremely expensive and non-biodegradable sanitary pads available in the market.

The aim of the initiative was to bridge the gap between the health options of rural and urban girls and usher overall development of women in the district. He said the pads are called 'NAARI V CARE.'

These pads are being produced by inmates at Nari Niketan with the help of machines, and the price of a packet of five pads will be Rs 10 whereas a set of two pads will cost Rs 5 only."

A certain quantity of pads would be distributed at zero cost to girls of the district, he added. The DC said he had arranged to put napkin vending machines in various government schools as it was seen that most girls were feeling shy to go to shops to purchase them.

Bhagat shared he was appalled to see the poor state of physical health of adolescent girls in rural households, which this led to multiple health problems and poor immunity. He informed that inmates of Nari Niketan were already being provided training in stitching and tailoring and embroidery by the district administration. "With this unique skill set added to their kitty, the Nari Niketan inmates will be able to generate a good livelihood for themselves as a part of the sale proceeds will go to them," he added.

Bhagat said, "NAARI stands for 'Nari Niketan and Red Cross Initiative.'

