Guwahati Girls Suffer As Sanitary Napkin Vending Machines Run Dry

There are vending machines, but the sanitary napkins are not availableGuwahati, like many other cities in India, has made some progress in providing basic health services to women and young girls. However, when it comes to a crucial aspect of women's health — access to sanitary napkins — the city still falls short. Despite a growing awareness of the need for proper menstrual hygiene, government schemes in Guwahati intended to provide free or affordable sanitary products remain largely ineffective. This situation has put thousands of girls and women, especially from underprivileged backgrounds, at risk of poor health and has led to an ongoing struggle for dignity and basic hygiene.ALSO READ: Construction Work Turns Guwahati’s Bamunimaidan Into A Living HellIn a recent report by GPlus, several students and teachers expressed their frustration over the lack of proper menstrual hygiene provisions in government schools.Talking to GPlus, a student from a renowned government school in Guwahati spoke candidly about the situation, saying, "There are vending machines in our school, but none of them work because no pads are available. It is embarrassing and frustrating to know that even though the infrastructure exists, we cannot actually use it."This isn't an isolated incident. Several schools in the city face similar issues.A teacher from the same school talking to GPlus said, "We have vending machines installed, but sanitary napkins are simply not provided to us. It is very difficult for our school, as most of the students come from below the poverty line. These girls can’t afford to buy sanitary napkins on their own, and the school's efforts to help are insufficient."Another teacher from a different government school highlighted a common problem many institutions face, stating, "We are given sanitary napkins only once a year, which is far from enough to meet the needs of our students. Moreover, no one comes to inspect whether these supplies are reaching the students or whether the machines are functioning properly. It feels like the authorities just want to tick a box without ensuring the scheme’s actual success."The National Health Mission (NHM) is one of the key government bodies responsible for implementing health schemes, including those related to menstrual hygiene. According to an official from NHM, there is a scheme in place to provide sanitary napkins to adolescent girls in schools.Speaking to GPlus, the official explained, "Our mobile health teams distribute sanitary napkins in schools under the NHM scheme. The Assam Medical Service Corporation Limited procures the napkins, and we distribute them to schools, sub-centres, and blocks. Schools are supposed to charge ₹6 for each pad, which is still relatively affordable for many. However, we are only able to cover about 15-20% of adolescent girls and pregnant women in each district. That’s far too little for the overall demand."He also mentioned the role of ASHA workers (Accredited Social Health Activists) in distributing the napkins. "Apart from the mobile health teams, ASHA workers also distribute sanitary napkins. Of the ₹6 charged per napkin, ₹5 goes to the government, and ₹1 is given to the ASHA workers for their services. However, this distribution happens only once a year, and with limited reach, many girls are left out."The NHM’s efforts, while well-intentioned, are clearly not enough to address the needs of the adolescent girls and women in Guwahati’s schools. Despite having a scheme in place, the limitations in budget, distribution, and oversight prevent it from being as impactful as it needs to be.Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan InitiativeAnother scheme that aims to address menstrual hygiene is the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), a government initiative to improve the quality of school education across India. Under this initiative, there is a specific focus on adolescent girls' health, which includes distributing sanitary napkins in schools.An official from Assam Samagra Shiksha, while speaking to GPlus, shared insights into their efforts, stating, "We have an activity under which our teams distribute sanitary napkins in districts, schools, and blocks. However, it depends on the budget allocation, and there is a long procedure involved. Only a few schools are selected each year, which limits our reach."This initiative, though promising, also faces challenges due to limited budgetary allocations and procedural hurdles. With only a small number of schools benefiting from the scheme, the majority of girls in government schools in Guwahati continue to face difficulties in accessing proper menstrual hygiene products.Why This MattersTalking to GPlus, a Guwahati based social activist seeking anonymity said, "The lack of proper sanitary hygiene facilities in schools has far-reaching consequences. For young girls, especially those from low-income families, access to sanitary napkins can be the difference between attending school regularly or missing out on education. Studies show that girls who don’t have access to sanitary products often stay home during their periods, leading to missed school days and, in many cases, dropping out altogether.""Beyond education, poor menstrual hygiene can lead to major health problems. Without access to proper sanitary products, women and girls are forced to use unsafe alternatives, such as cloth, which can lead to infections and other health issues. In a country where women’s health is often neglected, the lack of attention to menstrual hygiene further exacerbates the problem", she further added.Furthermore, the stigma around menstruation still prevails in many parts of the country. Without access to proper sanitary products and education on menstrual health, girls continue to face shame and embarrassment during their periods, which only perpetuates the cycle of silence and neglect around this important issue.Despite the existence of government schemes such as those by the National Health Mission (NHM) and Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, the provision of free or affordable sanitary products for girls in Guwahati remains far from adequate. While the intent of these programs is to ensure that all girls have access to the necessary sanitary products, the reality on the ground tells a different story. Thousands of young girls and women are left struggling without proper access to sanitary pads, which raises serious concerns about their health, well-being, and dignity.The gaps in distribution and oversight of these schemes are glaring. Why are vending machines in schools left empty? Why is the supply of sanitary napkins limited to just once a year, when clearly the demand is much higher? Moreover, with budget constraints and logistical challenges, the reach of these schemes is limited, leaving out a significant portion of the population, particularly those from underprivileged backgrounds. This brings us to a question: Is the government truly doing enough to address this critical issue, or are these schemes merely symbolic gestures that lack proper implementation?The fact remains that menstrual hygiene should not be a privilege reserved for those who can afford it. It is a basic need for every woman and girl, and the failure to provide proper sanitary products has long-term consequences. Young girls missing school due to lack of access to sanitary napkins often fall behind in their education, and some may even drop out. How can we expect these girls to thrive when they are denied something as basic as menstrual hygiene?