Odisha to Install Sanitary Pad Vending Machines at Schools, Colleges, and Offices
On World Menstrual Hygiene Day, Deputy CM Pravati Parida announces a series of hygiene initiatives including public breastfeeding centres and calls to normalize menstruation conversations.
Bhubaneswar: In a landmark move towards improving menstrual and maternal hygiene in Odisha, Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida on World Menstrual Hygiene Day (May 28) announced a series of initiatives, including the installation of sanitary pad vending machines across all schools, colleges, and government offices.
Speaking at the launch of the campaign 'Menstruation-Friendly City—Empowered, Inclusive and Aware’, Parida emphasized the need to destigmatize menstruation. “The most beautiful gift to present in a marriage should be sanitary napkins,” she said, adding that encouraging such symbolic gestures can help eradicate the stigma and taboo surrounding the menstrual cycle.
The new initiatives also include the establishment of public breastfeeding centres at key locations such as bus stands and railway stations, providing mothers with clean and safe spaces for nursing. Additionally, specialized technology will be introduced in maternity wards to enhance waste management and hygiene during childbirth.
“These steps are not just policy changes but a cultural call to action,” Parida said. “We want to create a society where women and girls can feel dignified, safe, and supported.”
The state government aims to build inclusive urban environments that promote awareness, ensure access to hygiene products, and challenge long-standing social taboos. Through these efforts, Odisha hopes to set a precedent for menstrual equity and maternal care in India.
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