Thread by @swatic12

While I was in India, I gave my maid didi an old tshirt and asked her to use it as a dusting cloth. She asked me if she could take it instead. I asked her why she needed that old rag knowing well that she only wears sari or suits. She said she would use it during her periods.

As the one she was using was very torn and old. For a moment I was silent and sad. I asked her why she didn’t used sanitary pads instead. She said she knew about them but they were too expensive. She would rather use that money for household expenses. I gave her a whole pack

And before leaving told my mom to give her pads every month. Why the pads have a 12% gst levied on them whereas makeup stuff like bindi, sindoor and kajal are exempted is a debate. Even though some govt institutions are providing free pads there is obviously much left to be done

She also told me that the place where she lives, women even use ash, dust, sand and even sawdust instead of pads. A study I was reading online reveals that 70% of reproductive diseases in India are caused by poor menstrual hygiene and it can also affect maternal mortality.

I would request all of you reading this thread to help by giving sanitary pads every month to your house help, maids, any female workers around you apart from their monthly salary.

It will not cost you much but will be a very effective step towards their hygiene and betterment

1. Please take out 10 min to educate them of the benefits of using sanitary pads n the health hazards caused by cloth or other alternatives like ash or dust.

2. Open the bag just a little before you give them so that they cannot be resold in market defeating the whole purpose

India is world’s largest democracy and any problem affecting the country cannot be completely eradicated by govt schemes and policies alone. Any change would need inclusion and cooperation at the citizen level. Do your little bit because little steps go far

#isupportfreepad

Here is the link to the Jan Aushadhi stores website. Find out your nearest store and get pads almost 1/3rd of the market price to distribute as part of the initiative.

janaushadhi.gov.in/jan_aushadhi_s…

Here’s what you can do:

1. Educate and encourage your house help to try sanitary pads
2. Get economical packs from your nearest Jan Aushadhi stores. At 2.5 rs per pad 10-12 pads will cost you only 25-30 Rs a month
3. Give them these packs every month on top of their salary