Adolescent girls await free sanitary pads as festive season approaches in Jharkhand
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK Daltonganj, September 15: Adolescent girls studying in government schools across Jharkhand are eagerly awaiting the state government’s promised…
Representative image.
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Daltonganj, September 15: Adolescent girls studying in government schools across Jharkhand are eagerly awaiting the state government’s promised festive-season initiative to provide free sanitary pads, but the rollout remains uncertain weeks after the Cabinet approved the proposal.
The state Cabinet, at its recent meeting, approved a resolution to provide free sanitary pads to eligible girls. However, nearly two weeks after the decision, the government is yet to issue a formal notification, standard operating procedure (SOP) or details regarding the modalities of fund allocation, administrative sources said.
The delay has become a concern for girls from economically weaker sections, who often find it difficult to purchase branded sanitary pads every month. A packet of branded sanitary pads currently costs around Rs 40 to Rs 45, depending on the brand and type, according to sources.
Several girls told this correspondent that menstrual hygiene products are an essential requirement and urged the government to implement the free sanitary pad scheme at the earliest.
“There is the Maiyan Samman Yojana, which aims to promote self-reliance to a great extent. But sanitary pads are indispensable for hygiene. The state government should start providing them free of cost,” they said.
The girls also recalled how Sakhi Mandals had stitched reusable masks during the COVID-19 pandemic, offering an affordable alternative to masks available in the open market at the time.
Girls suggest local, low-cost alternative
Some of the girls pointed out that sanitary pads could also be prepared locally using absorbent and leak-proof fabric and do not require sophisticated technology or engineering.
They said access to free sanitary pads would reduce the monthly financial burden on families and allow girls to use the money saved on menstrual hygiene products for essential educational items such as notebooks, pens and refills.
Education department yet to finalise budget
Administrative sources said the state Education Department is yet to finalise the budgetary allocation required for implementing the Cabinet decision.
With the festive season approaching, adolescent girls in government schools are now waiting for the government to translate its Cabinet decision into an actual scheme and ensure timely access to sanitary pads.
