WOMN launched to make women’s travel easier

Keralam Minister for Women and Child Development Bindhu Krishna on Tuesday inaugurated WOMN – Women on the Move and Menstrual Needs – a scheme launched by the Women and Child Development department to make sanitary napkins available to women in public places when they are travelling.

Ms. Krishna who launched the initiative at the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus terminal, Thampanoor, here said WOMN was designed to address a vital need that directly impacts women’s lives. Menstrual hygiene was important from women’s health and dignity perspective. The availability of sanitary napkins at affordable prices during travel should be considered a basic amenity, she said. Facilities to dispose of the napkins in an eco-friendly manner were also part of WOMN.

Napkin vending machines and incinerators are being installed near toilets at 14 KSRTC terminals/depots initially. Each packet would contain three sanitary napkins and cost ₹10. The scheme is being implemented by the department in association with HLL Lifecare. KSRTC staff would be given training to fill napkins in machines and clean incinerators. An amount of ₹16 lakh has been allocated for it.

The KSRTC has sought that the scheme be extended to 93 more KSRTC depots. The initiative will be extended to more public spaces, including main tourist destinations, in the State gradually, the Minister said. Ward councillor Harikumar, KSRTC Chairman and Managing Director Pramoj Shankar, and Women and Child Development Director V. Vigneshwari were present at the launch.