Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers, Shri D.V. Sadananda Gowda, while giving a written reply to a question on steps taken by Government to create awareness amongst women regarding ‘Suvidha’ sanitary napkins, in Lok Sabha today, stated that Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India (BPPI), the society executing the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana’ (PMBJP) scheme, has been spreading awareness about ‘Suvidha’ Sanitary napkins and menstrual hygiene through various modes.
These modes of awareness generation include advertisements such as Cinema advertisements, Bus brandings, State Transport Bus Stands audio advertisements, digital screen advertisements at Railway Stations and through social media platforms like facebook, twitter etc. and by organizing workshops, the Minister informed.
Shri Gowda said that sale of ‘Janaushadhi Suvidha’ sanitary napkins through Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras started in the year 2018-2019. As on 19.06.2019, BPPI has sold 1,05,43,600 units (1 pack= 4 units) of ‘Suvidha’ sanitary napkins through Janaushadhi Kendras across the country.
As per the data reported under DLHS-3 (2007-08), 24.6% of adolescent girls (15-19 years) were using sanitary napkins. The more recent NFHS-4 (2015-16) data shows that the utilization of sanitary napkins is 41.8% in adolescent girls aged 15-19 years.
The Menstrual Hygiene Scheme of the Health Ministry encompasses the following:
Increasing awareness among adolescent girls on menstrual hygiene.
Improve access to and use of high quality sanitary napkins by adolescent girls primarily in rural areas.
Ensuring safe disposal of sanitary napkins in an environmentally friendly manner.
Provision of funds to ASHAs to hold monthly meetings in Anganwadicentres or similar platforms with adolescents to discuss issues related to menstrual hygiene.
ASHAs across the country are trained and play a significant role in promotion of use and distribution of sanitary napkins. She receives an incentive @Rs 1 per pack sold and a free pack of napkins every month for her own personal use.
A range of IEC material has been developed around maintenance of good menstrual health, using 360 degree approach to create awareness among adolescent girls about safe and hygienic menstrual health practices. This includes mass and mid media coverage by audio clips and videosalong with reading material for adolescent girls and job-aids for ASHAs and other field level functionaries for communicating with adolescent girls.