In a bid to ensure access to menstrual hygiene for adolescent girls and young women, the Andhra Pradesh Government has launched a program under which branded sanitary napkins will be provided free of cost to girl students of Government educational institutions.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Tuesday launched 'Swechha' program to tackle the stigma attached to menstruation, prioritize female personal hygiene, and encourage a healthy dialogue of information.
"One should not shy away from talking about menstruation. We need to create more awareness among female students and educate them on safe practices," the Chief Minister observed on the occasion.
The State Government will provide quality branded sanitary napkins to female students at government educational institutions, free of cost. Ten sanitary napkins will be given every month to about 10 lakh adolescent girls studying from 7-12 grades in all government schools and intermediate colleges across the state.