In a thread, a Twitter user discussed how most of the women working as domestic helps do not use sanitary napkins but use rags and even ash or sawdust.
Women's sanitation is one of the biggest obstacles in ensuring women's health in India.
Lack of awareness about mental hygiene, combined with the high price of sanitary pads for young women and girls, especially from the lower income groups are some of the biggest challenges. Despite the constant churn of debates and dialogues, young school girls continue to drop out of school and young women continue to run the risk of catching infections due to improper menstrual hygiene.
[post_ads]Even though access and awareness is one fold of the problem, it is the high price of sanitary napkins that makes it most difficult for many women in the country to address the problem.
One Twitter user recently shared her own experience with her domestic help who said she wanted to use old T-shirts as pads.
In a thread, Twitter user @swatic12 discussed how most of the women working as domestic helps do not use sanitary napkins but use rags and even ash or sawdust. She said the 12 percent GST levy on pads when items such as bindi, sindoor, and kajal are exempted “is a debate” and can’t be resolved soon, but urged others to step in and raise awareness about using them.
Her post goes on to talk about how there have been measures proposed and taken up by the government, although a lot more needs to be done.
And before leaving told my mom to give her pads every month. Why the pads have a 12% gst levied on them whereas makeup stuff like bindi, sindoor and kajal are exempted is a debate. Even though some govt institutions are providing free pads there is obviously much left to be done— SwatKat- The dancing Rajput 💃 (@swatic12) July 6, 2018
“I would request all of you reading this thread to help by giving sanitary pads every month to your house help, maids, any female workers around you apart from their monthly salary,” she urged people on the micro-blogging site.
I would request all of you reading this thread to help by giving sanitary pads every month to your house help, maids, any female workers around you apart from their monthly salary.— SwatKat- The dancing Rajput 💃 (@swatic12) July 6, 2018
It will not cost you much but will be a very effective step towards their hygiene and betterment
India is world’s largest democracy and any problem affecting the country cannot be completely eradicated by govt schemes and policies alone. Any change would need inclusion and cooperation at the citizen level. Do your little bit because little steps go far#isupportfreepad— SwatKat- The dancing Rajput 💃 (@swatic12) July 6, 2018
This thread has been creating a lot of buzz on the Twitterverse, with people expressing their appreciation for Sawati and also carrying forward the campaign of raising the issue of menstrual hygiene.
[post_ads_2]I hope everyone uses Social media for these kinds of Helpful Posts then only we can create a healthy environment for others.— Abhishek (@Abhi17x89) July 7, 2018
Well done swat kat 👍😊👌
— Akshay Sharma (@bebaak_banarasi) July 7, 2018
Very thoughtful of you and I hope this spark in you continue to turn into a lightning fire, will also try to spread your word.— Manik Sagar Jain 🇮🇳 (@maniksagarjain) July 6, 2018
Kudos to you
Government has launched sanitary pads 'Suvidha' which are not only very low priced but also completely biodegradable. So don't worry about environment.— abhishek (@abhi_d_twittest) July 7, 2018
This is such a brilliant thread. @swatic12 👏— Nakuul Mehta (@NakuulMehta) July 7, 2018
Must read for anyone who cares about the appalling menstrual health & sanitation situation in our country. https://t.co/SHjnxKqRvP
Brilliant brilliant thread! I too have been doing this since years and trust me it helps them a lot. Most of them aren't even aware of these stores. Hell even I'm not aware of them. I bought it for my maid and her daughter from where I buy mine. But this will only bring a change! https://t.co/8n20X7dpjd— PB (@BhatiaPriyanka6) July 6, 2018
Still,there are families where they start surfing TV channels randomly whenever they come across Sanitary napkins advertisements let alone watching a movie like Padman.— Abhismita Roy (@Abhismita_Roy) July 7, 2018
It is really difficult to strike up a conversation in such households and make them aware.
My wife is also working on it..she choose one school from tribal area, educate those girls about it and give one pack of pads..she was sad to know women in such area use plastic cement bags for periods..then she strarted it..it cost only 4 or 5k per month..— ketan raygor (@KetanRaygor) July 7, 2018
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