Pradhan launches sanitary pad-making initiative

Pradhan launches sanitary pad-making initiative

PT Facts

News:

Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister, launched ‘Ujjwala Sanitary Napkins’ initiative.

Important Facts:

• The mission is an initiative of three oil marketing companies (IOCL, BPCL and HPCL) in Odisha, is aimed to educate women on female hygiene and health, improve accessibility to low cost eco-friendly sanitary pads and boost rural employment and economy.
• The three companies will set up 100 manufacturing units at the Common Service Centers (CSC) in Odisha.
• At least 10 Ujjwala beneficiary women will get employment at each CSC.
• As per National Family Health Survey (NFHS) report, about 33.5 percent of women uses Sanitary pad in Odisha.
• The Central scheme will be a counter to the Odisha government’s Khushi scheme, in which sanitary napkins are provided free of cost to female students of government and government-aided schools in the state.
• The project will not only provide the rural women with a dignified means to earn their livelihood but also arm them with entrepreneurial skills

Khushi Scheme:

• Under this scheme, the Health Department of Odisha Government aims to provide free sanitary pads to 1.7 million girl students from grade 6th to 12th in government and government-aided schools.
• Also, it aims to promote health and hygiene among school going girls and higher retention of girls in school.