New Delhi, March 8, 2018: The Union Government on Thursdaylaunched biodegradable sanitary napkin marking the International Women’s Day. The
affordable sanitary napkin will be available for Rs 2.50 per pad across the
country.
It will be available at over 3,200 Janaushadhi Kendras across
India and would ensure ‘Swachhta, Swasthya and Suvidha’ for the underprivileged
women of the country, said Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers and
Parliamentary Affairs Ananthkumar.
He announced the launch of ‘Suvidha’, the 100%
Oxo-biodegradable Sanitary Napkin, under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya
Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP), here.
“This is a special gift for all Women on the occasion of
International Woman’s day, as this unique product would ensure Affordability,
Hygiene as well as ease of use and disposal for them.
SUVIDHA napkins would be physically available at all
Janaushadhi Kendras in the country by May 28, 2018 – World Menstrual Hygiene
Day, the Minister informed.
According to the National Family Health Survey 2015-16, about
58 percent of women aged between 15 to 24 years use locally prepared napkins,
sanitary napkins and tampons. Further, about 78 percent women in urban areas
use hygienic methods of protection during menstrual period; only 48 percent
women in rural areas have access to clean sanitary napkins.
Ananthkumar’s deputy Mansukh Lal Mandaviya explained the term
‘Oxo-biodegradable’ and said that a special additive is added in the SUVIDHA
napkin which makes it biodegradable when it reacts with oxygen after it is used
and discarded.
“The average price of sanitary napkins available in the
market today is around Rs 8 per pad, whereas now with the launch of the SUVIDHA
napkins at Rs 2.50 per pad. This will go a long way in making the basic hygiene
requirement aid for Women affordable for the underprivileged sections,” said Mandaviya.
