Need a sanitary pad while travelling? Kerala brings vending machines to public places

Thiruvananthapuram: Women travelling across Kerala will soon have easier access to sanitary napkins at public places, with the Women and Child Development Department set to install vending machines at selected locations across the state.

The initiative, called 'WOMN – Women on the Move & Menstrual Needs', will be launched on Tuesday as part of the state government's 100-day action programme.The project aims to make menstrual hygiene products readily available to women and girls, particularly when they are travelling, according to an official release.
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Pilot project at 14 KSRTC terminals

As part of the initial phase, sanitary napkin vending machines and incinerators will be installed at 14 KSRTC terminals and depots across the state.

Each packet will contain three sanitary napkins and cost Rs 10.

The vending machines are intended to provide women and girls with quick and private access to menstrual hygiene products, particularly at busy transport hubs where they may have to spend several hours travelling or waiting for buses.

The project will also provide incinerators for disposing of used sanitary napkins, offering a more hygienic and environmentally responsible disposal option.

The initiative is planned to eventually cover major tourist destinations, KSRTC terminals and depots, and other public places across Kerala.
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Project to be launched in Thiruvananthapuram

Women and Child Development, Labour, Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development Minister Bindu Krishna will inaugurate the project at the Thampanoor KSRTC Bus Terminal in Thiruvananthapuram at 5 pm on Tuesday.

The project is being implemented by the Women and Child Development Department in collaboration with Hindustan Latex Limited.

The department has allocated Rs 16 lakh for the initiative, the release said.

PTI