The State Health Minister emphasized the significance of sanitary napkins for the well-being of female students, noting that many from impoverished backgrounds cannot afford them.
After a hiatus of four years, the Karnataka Government relaunched the Shuchi scheme on Wednesday, focusing on menstrual hygiene by supplying sanitary napkins to approximately 19 lakh adolescent girls in schools and colleges.
Dinesh Gundu Rao, Karnataka’s Health Minister, stressed the importance of the Shuchi scheme in maintaining the hygiene and health of female students.
Under the revamped scheme, the Karnataka Health Department will furnish free sanitary napkins to about 19 lakh girls (aged 10 to 18 years) attending government and aided schools and colleges across the state.
The health department will directly dispatch sanitary pads to schools for distribution to female students by the school authorities, with each kit containing ten sanitary napkins per pack. A year’s supply will be provided to the female students.
Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao reiterated the scheme’s significance for the hygiene and health of female students.
Previously initiated by the former Siddaramaiah-led state government, Rao expressed puzzlement over the halting of such a crucial project by the subsequent BJP-led government.
“In the Congress government, following my appointment as Health Minister, I declared the revival of the scheme,” he stated.
“While the Congress government has introduced Shakti and Gruha Lakshmi Schemes to benefit women, the Shuchi Yojana, aimed at safeguarding girls’ health, remains indispensable,” he added.
“We are allocating 47 crores to provide free sanitary napkins to 19 lakh school and college girls, recognizing that many girls from impoverished families cannot afford them,” Rao emphasized.
The Minister underscored that menstruation is a natural process and urged girls not to feel shy about it. He highlighted the need to dispel superstitions surrounding menstruation and to promote awareness about hygiene and the use of sanitary napkins.
Rao emphasized the importance of cleanliness and scientifically managing menstruation for girls’ health.
“We have initiated a pilot program in two districts to distribute menstrual cups as an eco-friendly alternative to sanitary pads under the Shuchi Yojana, which has garnered positive feedback,” Rao explained.
The Health Minister also announced plans by the health department to intensify awareness campaigns about using menstrual cups instead of sanitary pads.
