Launching of Sanitary Pad Vending Machines at Lehripura police station in Vadodara

Held under Sakhi project on the occasion of menstrual hygiene day

The Vadodara City Police Force has launched a new health protection initiative for women in collaboration with the Vatsalya Foundation as part of the activities of the She team. Menstruation is still considered taboo in many sections of society and unnecessary discrimination is observed against housewives during those days.

But in this modern age, from adolescence onwards, women need to know about the precautions to be taken during menstruation.  Since the days of the menstrual cycle are 28 days and five days are of menstrual period, 28th May is celebrated as Menstrual Hygiene Day to remove misconceptions about menstruation, raise awareness and understand the importance of menstrual hygiene management.

Sanitary pad vending machine was inaugurated at Laheripura police station under Sakhi project started by Vatsalya Foundation of Vadodara. Details of how to use the machine is put up next to it. Free sanitary pads can be easily obtained by inserting a dummy coin in the machine and turning the handle 3 times. Vadodara police commissioner, Dr.  Shamsher Singh as well as Swati Bedekar of the organization and Anokhi Prabir Patel, a young social worker were present during the launching.

Police Commissioner Dr.  Shamsher Singh said, "This project started by She Team and Vatsalya Foundation, will help important sections of the society. The project will help women who are doing important work in the society like vegetable growers, housewives as well as other business class women." 

Swati Bedekar of Vatsalya Foundation said, "These sanitary pads are biodegradable and not harmful to the environment. This vending machine will be very useful for poor class women."  She further added that in the near future, this vending machine will be installed in more police stations in the city to give the benefit of this health protection system to the women in need.