MARGAO
Demanding that the government make available sanitary napkins to the womenfolk through the ration shops to ensure that these reach the poorest of the poor in the state, Goa Mahila Congress has further called for the setting up of sanitary vending machines as well as incinerators at every educational institution and at the work places.
Addressing the media on Monday to unveil the Mahila Congress’ novel way of celebrating International Women’s Day on March 8, State president Pratima Coutinho said that teams of Mahila Congress will descend on the designated slum areas in Panaji and Margao to distribute free sanitary pads to the womenfolk. “The intention behind the exercise is to spread awareness amongst the women staying in the slums on the ill effects of not using sanitary napkins. The Congress party is organizing similar drives across the country and Goa will be no exception,” she said.
Pratima pointed out that national statistics on sanitary napkins paint a gloomy picture with majority of women in the country not using the safe and hygenic sanitary napkins, making them susceptible to various types of diseases, and in some case even death.
“Statistics show that 80 per cent of women in India cannot afford to buy sanitary pads. The Narendra Modi government should do an introspection on this issue since the centre has still rolled back the GST on sanitary napkins,” she said, adding that the Union government that has come out with a slogan on Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao should make available sanitary napkins through the ration shops to ensure better health and hygiene.
Mahila Congress Vice-President Beena Naik said that the Mahila Congress is demanding that the government set up sanitary napkins vending machines at all the educational institutions and also incinerators for their disposal. “Vending machines can make available a napkin by just inserting a coin and the incinerators will help avoid clogging of drains,” Beena added.
