Even though, there has been appreciable upward movement in the provisions of health care practices in rural areas, the issue of menstrual health has not been addressed in the manner in which it ought to be done. Due to relatively restricted access to the sanitary pads owing to availability constraints or pricing constraints – still a large section of young female population remains deprived of good menstrual health facilities.In this background, Smt. Preneet Kaur, Former Minister of State for External Affairs, Government of India inaugurated ‘Project Pakeezah’ today at the Annual Day Celebrations of Government Senior Secondary Multipurpose School for Girls, Model Town Patiala.On the occasion, Smt. Preneet Kaur said that under the initiative, cost-effective eco-friendly sanitary pads would be distributed to schools girls through Sanitary Pads Vending Machines, consequently to rural women and urban poor through SHG, Anganwadis workers’ and ANMs’ network. The idea of the project is to augment awareness about menstrual health among women of the district, with focus on school going girls, and ensuring that the product finds its way into deeper reaches of rural and urban areas to all. In this initiative, Milaap, a Cluster Level Federation of SHGs in Patiala district, is launching its own brand of high-quality, ultra-thin, biodegradable sanitary pads by the brand name of Pakeezah Pads, each packet of 6 pads costing Rs. 20 only.
She said that the project is being carried out in collaboration with Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. which is financially supporting the project under its CSR contribution of more than Rs. 99 Lakhs. The initiative also aims at bringing about attitudinal change about issues related to menstrual health. Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Campaigns sessions would be run in the program on a sustained basis in order to effect and monitor the change. The IEC activities would be carried out by a team involving doctors, ANMs, ASHA workers, Volunteers and Officials. These would involve providing scientific information regarding anatomy and physiology of menstruation through various aids and engaging the rural students/ women in frank open discussion on menstrual health.While addressing students Smt. Preneet Kaur focused on cleanliness and pollution free environment and urged students to create awareness in regard of plastics free surroundings to save the earth. She also encouraged the students to acquire maximum skills, knowledge and to pursue higher education for their well being in future life.Deputy Commissioner Mr Kumar Amit informed that this initiative will surely go a long way in improving the health condition of girl students & young women through menstrual hygiene management program and accessibility to affordable sanitary napkins in the district, going aptly with its tagline, Periods.. Ab no Fikar. Chairman PRTC Mr. K.K Sharma, Mayor Mr. Sanjiv Sharma Bittu, Additional Deputy Commissioner (G) Mr Showkat Ahmad Parry, IAS (UT) Mr. Rahul Sindhu, students, teachers, parents and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.