It’s not a train or a e-commerce platform. It’s a brand of biodegradable sanitary napkin, called Suvidha, launched by the government on the eve of the World Environment Day.
Not only does it provide an affordable option for women’s during menstruation, it is also a green option. It is alarming that less than half of the rural women have access to clean sanitary napkins.
This initiative of the ministry of chemicals and fertilisers gains importance in light of the fact that India generated more that 9,000 tonnes of menstrual waste, every month in 2011. This waste is expected to have risen since as the access to sanitary pads has increased.
Highlights of Suvidha
- Suvidha Oxo-biodegradable sanitary napkins is priced at Rs 2.50 per pad
- Will be sold in a pack of 4 pads
- Will be retailed through more than 3,600 Jan Aushadhi stores in 33 states and UTs
- Expected to help women from underprivileged sections, as it gives them a hygienic option.
- These women still use unhygienic menstrual aids because they find the popular brands expensive. This causes fungal infections, reproductive tract infection, urinary tract infection, cervical cancer and also make women vulnerable to infertility
- Disposal of non-biodegradable sanitary napkins creates a huge environmental problem
- Suvidha has a special additive, which makes it biodegradable when it comes in contact with oxygen when discarded.