BMC-run schools to provide eco-friendly sanitary napkins to students

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) administration intends to provide eco-friendly and biodegradable sanitary napkins to female students in municipal secondary schools. MP Piyush Goyal has instructed the municipal authorities to provide 20 sanitary napkins every month to female students of municipal schools.

To promote menstrual hygiene, a program on menstruation was recently organised at Mumbai Public School on MG Cross Road, Kandivali (West). On this occasion, a special discussion was held on the topic of menstruation and hygiene. The BMC administration implements various measures and activities for the overall development of students in municipal schools. Sanitary napkins are distributed to schoolgirls from time to time to ensure that menstruation does not interfere with their studies and to maintain their good health.

Provision of INR 49 lakh

The civic body has made a provision of INR 49 lakh in the budget for the financial year 2025-26 for the distribution of sanitary napkins to primary and secondary school students. A budget provision of INR 19 lakh has been proposed for primary and INR Rs 30 lakh for secondary. The BMC is trying to get CSR funds for eco-friendly sanitary napkins as they cost more than regular sanitary napkins.

Distribution of sanitary napkins to seven thousand girl students

In a program held on Saturday, Piyush Goyal distributed sanitary napkins to seven thousand girl students of municipal schools. He also instructed to provide basic hygiene items to the students regarding menstruation. Municipal officials, teachers, health experts, etc. were present at the program. The program discussed menstrual hygiene. Goyal said that this initiative will continue in phases so that needy students can get sanitary napkins from time to time.

Efforts for CSR Funding

The cost of eco-friendly sanitary napkins is higher than that of regular sanitary napkins. Even though there is financial provision in the budget, more funds are required for this. Therefore, the BMC will seek help from corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds to purchase environmentally friendly napkins.

Traditional menstrual hygiene habits, misconceptions, and superstitions among adolescent girls in municipal schools adversely affect their health and education. The decision to provide sanitary napkins in all municipal schools was taken a few years ago after various surveys revealed that the use of sanitary napkins was very low.