SME Times News Bureau | 31 Jan, 2018
In
a significant decision, the Maharashtra government approved a plan to
provide sanitary napkins to women in rural areas at subsidised rates
to promote hygiene and reduce school absenteeism, an official said
here on Tuesday.
The decision was taken at a Cabinet
meeting presided over by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
"Due
to lack of proper care during the menstrual period, there have been
many health-related problems pertaining to reproduction in women and
girls, according to a health survey conducted in rural areas,"
the official said.
Accordingly, the health workers will
not only sensitise and create awareness about personal hygiene among
the 11-19 age group of girls in mofussil areas, but also provide
sanitary napkins at subsidised rates under the Asmita Yojana of the
state government.
The official said the survey has
revealed that school and college-going girls in the age-group of
11-19 have remained absent for 50-60 days in a year during their
menstrual cycles, affecting both their health and academics.
The
Asmita Yojana will provide packets of different sizes of sanitary
napkins at a discounted rate of minimum Rs 5 per packet through
self-help groups which will help prevent health issues and curb
absenteeism from classes.
These self-help groups will also
disseminate information related to health, personal hygiene and
education through mass communication modes to the rural
womenfolk.
The entire scheme will be implemented by the
Rural Development Department under the Maharashtra State Rural
Jivonnati Campaign with the Additional Director of Family Welfare
Department functioning as the Nodal Officer.