Gujarat to provide free sanitary napkins to 10 lakh school girls

The Gujarat government has launched a Rs 46.68 crore initiative to provide free, eco-friendly sanitary napkins to more than 10 lakh girls in government schools. The program targets students from Standards 6 to 12 and aims to improve school attendance, promote menstrual hygiene, and reduce the financial burden on families.

Under the scheme, each girl will receive oxo-biodegradable sanitary napkins worth approximately Rs 360 annually. To ensure effective implementation and support, a female 'Nodal Teacher' will be appointed at each school to oversee distribution, provide accurate health information, and create a comfortable environment for students to discuss menstrual concerns.

The initiative also includes strict waste management protocols. Schools are required to follow the 'Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016', ensuring used napkins are wrapped in paper, kept separate from other waste, and disposed of through local collection systems or functional incinerator machines.