Assam Government Makes Sanitary Pads Mandatory In Industries & Factories

The Assam government recently took a very progressive step that would promote hygiene and health among working women.

In a much-applauded step, the Assam government has made it mandatory for all factories and industries across Assam to keep sanitary pads at the workplace.

As per the ANI’s tweet, Assam’s Minister for Industries, Chandra Mohan Patowary, confirmed the initiative and shared that it has been done keeping in mind the welfare of the working women. Chandra Mohan Patowary shared:

“Government has made it mandatory for all factories and industries in the state to keep sanitary pads for the welfare of the working women in the factories”

On Tuesday, this decision was taken during the Assam Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal. Many men and women came forward across social media to applaud this great initiative.

At IFORHER, we applaud this great initiative of the Assam government, but we do feel rather than sanitary napkins, our country should promote menstrual cups. Menstrual cups are not only economical but also reduce wastage.

Some months ago, Kerala Municipality set an example by giving away 5000 menstrual cups to women to reduce sanitary pad wastage. As per the sources, Minister Issac Thomas shared:

“We had at first thought of promoting cloth napkins but it will not be practical in a state like Kerala where it rains for six months a year and the washed clothes will not dry on time. When we thought of the idea of menstrual cups, it was difficult at first, because there were no branded ones, no companies making it here. The women using it were mostly depending on online marketing sites. Then we spoke to Hindustan Latex Ltd and they were ready to make the product. Cola India Ltd came forward to fund it through their CSR”

Sharing how menstrual cups are a better option over sanitary napkins, the secretary of Alappuzha municipal mentioned:

“A woman, on an average, uses nearly 160 sanitary napkins a year. A menstrual cup can be used for five or six years – replacing about 780 napkins. Think of the amount of plastic waste it would reduce, and the amount of money that can be saved. These 5,000 cups – if used by five thousand women – would itself save about Rs 40 lakh. For the same reason, sanitary napkin companies would not be too keen on producing menstrual cups. It would bring down the business.”

At IFORHER, we are applauding these great initiatives and hope other state governments will seek inspiration from them to take steps to promote women’s hygiene & wellness in India. Because only a healthy woman could raise a healthy family and a healthy nation.