Govt to expand menstrual cup distribution project in Kerala
Kochi: After the successful implementation of the project promoting the usage of menstrual cups in selected areas in the state, the govt is now stepping up efforts to increase the acceptance rate of menstrual cups among underprivileged women.
As part of its efforts, HLL Lifecare Ltd, a public sector enterprise under the ministry of health and family welfare, will distribute three lakh menstrual cups under its Thinkal project in Kerala during the financial year 2025-26. The project is being implemented in collaboration with the state govt and various public sector companies.
Under the Thinkal project, menstrual cups are distributed free of cost to underprivileged women.
Earlier, HLL distributed menstrual cups in various locations in the state as part of the promotion project. Now, with the distribution of three lakh more menstrual cups, authorities aim to promote the usage of the cups among people in rural areas by distributing them in all local bodies.
Dr Krishna S H, manager of public health projects at HLL's subsidiary, HLL Management Academy, said HLL's earlier efforts created two napkin-free villages in Kerala - Kumbalangi panchayat in Ernakulam and Kallikkad panchayat in Thiruvananthapuram.
"Kumbalangi panchayat was declared napkin-free by then governor Arif Mohammad Khan in 2022 and Kallikkad panchayat was declared napkin-free by Shashi Tharoor in 2024. Around 5,000 menstrual cups each were distributed," Dr Krishna said.
The Thinkal project was first implemented in Alappuzha municipality during the 2018 floods. Though HLL provided an incinerator to the municipality for disposing of sanitary pads during the floods, the method did not offer a complete solution to sanitary pad waste.
Later, HLL implemented the Thinkal project and distributed around 5,000 menstrual cups in the municipality. HLL also trained the beneficiaries on how to use menstrual cups and conducted awareness sessions on menstrual hygiene.
A similar method will be adopted during the fresh initiative.
"When the project was implemented in Alappuzha municipality without awareness classes, the acceptance rate was at 20%. However, when the project was implemented with awareness classes led by medical experts, the acceptance rate rose to 91.5%. We now have a set of standard procedures for implementing the Thinkal project, which ensures a high acceptance rate for menstrual cups," Dr Krishna said.
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