To promote female healthcare and educate young school-going girls about menstrual hygiene, Manaswini Foundation and KEC International CWA-KAV RE jointly organized a project at Kapil Nagar Hindi Upper Primary School, Nagpur.
As part of this initiative, a sanitary pad vending machine and an incineration machine were donated to the school. A demonstration session was conducted to educate the girls about the usage and functioning of these machines.
Menstruation is a natural physiological process, yet many women grow up feeling ashamed of their bodies. A significant section of society still considers women “impure” during menstruation. In India, around 21% of girls drop out of school once they begin menstruating. Due to lack of awareness and affordability, underprivileged women and girls often use old cloth, newspapers, or even mud as alternatives to sanitary pads.
Since sanitary pads are expensive, about 70% of women cannot afford them. The vending machine aims to support girls, especially those who start menstruating for the first time or do not have a regular menstrual cycle.
However, using sanitary pads is only the first step. It is equally important to educate girls about their proper disposal. Improper disposal can lead to bacterial infections, unhygienic surroundings, and clogged drainage systems. The safest and most eco-friendly method is incineration, which destroys used pads hygienically and efficiently.
To further emphasize environmental responsibility, on the occasion of World Environment Day, our team also planted saplings on the school premises, fostering awareness about the importance of preserving nature.