How sanitary napkins are changing lives in rural girls?

If you are a young girl, you should be already familiar with the term 'periods'. This monthly biological function starts at the age of puberty and also indicates that a girl is not pregnant. In most societies where basic amenities are available, the girls who are on their period generally receive tampons or pads from their parents or guardians. Thus it makes the uncomfortable process more bearable for many young ladies. However, in many rural communities in India, young girls are not lucky enough to have access to tampons or pads on a regular basis. Due to this, they are forced to use various materials such as t-shirts, layered cloths or even toilet paper to soak up the menstrual blood.

Most of the rural girls miss their school because they do not feel comfortable and confidant during these days and consequently they prefer to stay at home. Various initiatives have been implemented to change this condition in rural India. They hand out free sanitary pads to young girls who are studying in rural schools to help them overcome the situation. 

Menstruation and menstrual practices are clouded by taboos and socio-cultural restrictions for women as well as adolescent girls in India. Rural women living in India have limited access to safe sanitary products and facilities. This is said to be one of the reasons for constrained school attendance, high dropout rates and ill health due to infection. In order to overcome this difficulty, many brands have introduced low cost and best sanitary napkins in India.

 Best sanitary napkins in India are available in several states including Tamilnadu, Haryana, Bihar, Rajasthan and Puducherry. They have already taken similar initiatives to promote menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls. There are 150 districts identified in the first phase which include 30 from the four southern States, Maharashtra and Gujarat and 120 from northern, central and the north-eastern States.

The Centre obtains the napkins and supplies these to the States during the first year and that in turn sends these to Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) in the districts for distribution on a monthly basis. Sometimes, the schools will become distribution points for the students.

Some parents from rural areas may not be able to afford money for pads and tampons. Hence, they may prefer washable pads for their daughter. ASHA has taken the initiative to demonstrate to the pupils on how to use sanitary pads during their periods. They provide each pupil with two pads and five additional cloths to occasionally replace and wash.

Some students even opt to take extras for members of their families at home. After three months, the students who have taken the pads will go through a trial period and report back to their teacher. They then inform their teachers about its comfort and also tell about the adjustments which are required. The activists ask some questions to do extensive research on these products and thus improve on the pads at a later stage to produce the best Thin sanitary napkins in India.

There are several benefits for using sanitary napkins and pads during the periods. There are many products which come in different shapes and sizes to cater for each girl’s different body type. The cloth used in such pads is all natural and environmental-friendly, so the possibility for an allergic reaction is slim. It is really simple to use these pads. You can soak, wash and dry in the sun within a short period. In fact, the pads are very easy to use as you can slip the menstrual pads in your underwear and you no longer have to worry. You can find these pads in different colors and they look more appealing to use.