Sanitary napkins still an unidentified object to many
I was leaving for Independence day celebration at Faith last friday (we had the celebration 2 days early cause the school is closed on 15th aug - will write a separate post on this next) when my maid walked upto me and asked timidly if I could give her a piece of cloth. I couldn't understand her and continued to get ready. She kept standing where she was then again asked me the same thing. This time I asked her what she wanted it for. She told me that it was cause her periods had started and she wasn't prepared and if I could give her an old piece of cloth. I couldn't get myself to give her a cloth. Instead I gave her a few sanitary napkins.
Honestly, I was taken aback by that incident that day and haven't stopped thinking about it. Cloth? In this day and age? Whatever happened to the world of sanitary napkins? To the world of an independent and advanced and economically stronger India? I am not sure if that woman had ever used a napkin before.
The episode has also got me thinking about the lack of awareness about infections and diseases that spread due to usage of unclean cloth for sanitary needs. Vaginal infections are the most common infection amongst women. And what is the government doing about this? There are a few NGO's (goonj gives out cloth) that do carry out drives towards this cause but how many and are they sufficient?
About 30 crore people in India live below the poverty line. Say 40% of this number are women who would need to have sanitary napkins every month. Thats about 12 crore women. We have the government giving condoms for free in various areas. I am guessing the cost of each condom would be, say, Rs. 5. The number of people in need of the condom would be about, say, 40% of the population and these are needed more than once in a month. Even if a person uses about 2 condoms a month, the average cost incurred would be about Rs 120 crores. The cost of a pack of sanitary napkins in the market (am not talking high quality high brand - but clean and cheap) is about Rs 20. Assuming if these are procured in bulk by the government at say Rs. 12. I am guessing the cost is not going to be very high (Rs 144 crores). Condom consumption is for (apologies for the crude generalization) entertainment purposes while sanitary napkins are a necessity. Then, why is the government not doing something? Why do we never see advertisements in the TV and the newspaper about free drives to donate sanitary napkins? Why is this such a tabboo topic? I might not have all the figures correct here. It is just a rough estimate.
That evening I was having a discussion with my husband about these questions in my head. He asked me what I would like to do at my level about it and if I'd be worried about what people think when I actually do it. (I hate giving him credit - specially cause he might read this here ;-) ). He gave me an idea and I've given it some thought and I think I don't care what people might think. If it makes me the laughing stock then so be it. It might help to educate these women that there is an alternative like sanitary napkins available.
I've decided to carry out a drive to distribute free sanitary napkins in my colony to the maids. I will need to plan when, where and how. Will post more on this soon.
If I may request you all to spread awareness about personal hygiene among women. Use of unclean cloth causes infections. Educate women around you.
Hail the power of pink! :-)
Honestly, I was taken aback by that incident that day and haven't stopped thinking about it. Cloth? In this day and age? Whatever happened to the world of sanitary napkins? To the world of an independent and advanced and economically stronger India? I am not sure if that woman had ever used a napkin before.
The episode has also got me thinking about the lack of awareness about infections and diseases that spread due to usage of unclean cloth for sanitary needs. Vaginal infections are the most common infection amongst women. And what is the government doing about this? There are a few NGO's (goonj gives out cloth) that do carry out drives towards this cause but how many and are they sufficient?
About 30 crore people in India live below the poverty line. Say 40% of this number are women who would need to have sanitary napkins every month. Thats about 12 crore women. We have the government giving condoms for free in various areas. I am guessing the cost of each condom would be, say, Rs. 5. The number of people in need of the condom would be about, say, 40% of the population and these are needed more than once in a month. Even if a person uses about 2 condoms a month, the average cost incurred would be about Rs 120 crores. The cost of a pack of sanitary napkins in the market (am not talking high quality high brand - but clean and cheap) is about Rs 20. Assuming if these are procured in bulk by the government at say Rs. 12. I am guessing the cost is not going to be very high (Rs 144 crores). Condom consumption is for (apologies for the crude generalization) entertainment purposes while sanitary napkins are a necessity. Then, why is the government not doing something? Why do we never see advertisements in the TV and the newspaper about free drives to donate sanitary napkins? Why is this such a tabboo topic? I might not have all the figures correct here. It is just a rough estimate.
That evening I was having a discussion with my husband about these questions in my head. He asked me what I would like to do at my level about it and if I'd be worried about what people think when I actually do it. (I hate giving him credit - specially cause he might read this here ;-) ). He gave me an idea and I've given it some thought and I think I don't care what people might think. If it makes me the laughing stock then so be it. It might help to educate these women that there is an alternative like sanitary napkins available.
I've decided to carry out a drive to distribute free sanitary napkins in my colony to the maids. I will need to plan when, where and how. Will post more on this soon.
If I may request you all to spread awareness about personal hygiene among women. Use of unclean cloth causes infections. Educate women around you.
Hail the power of pink! :-)
Comments