Sanitary napkin-making project launched by NGO

Follow us:WhatsappFacebookTwitterTelegram.cls-1{fill:#4d4d4d;}.cls-2{fill:#fff;}Google NewsAashraya, a unit of the Andhra Mahila Sabha, launched ‘Nalam’- a sanitary napkin-making project on Saturday. The project was inaugurated by B Valarmathi, Minister for Social Welfare, BV Ramana, Minister for Environment and actor Suhasini Manirathnam.The project will be executed with the support of Soroptimist International Chennai Downtown. Project SNAP (Sanitary Napkin Advocacy Programme), will promote and market these napkins. The sanitary napkin project also marks the birth centenary year of the Sabha’s founder freedom fighter Durgabai Deshmukh.Veena Swamy, chairperson, Aashraya, said that the sanitary napkins will be produced by women taking shelter in the home.“Currently, 20 women take shelter in the home, the home is dedicated for women in distress. It is these women who will make these sanitary napkins,” she said. Veena also pointed out the sanitary napkins produced will be sold at a low cost and will be bio-degradable.“The cost of one  sanitary napkin produced by these women will be `20,” she said.The machinery for the project is being funded by the Andhra Mahila Sabha. “The machinery to produce these sanitary napkins costs `3 lakh and the entire project is supported and funded by the Andhra Mahila Sabha,” said Veena.Considerable amount of research has gone into making a facility which will produce low-cost sanitary napkins. “We put in at least seven years of research before coming up with machinery which can produce low-cost and bio-degradable sanitary napkins,” said A Muruganantham, the man responsible for the setting up of the machinery.Muruganantham also opined that with Andhra Mahila Sabha taking up such initiatives in metro cities like Chennai, the awareness of using sanitary napkins will certainly increase.Veena also believes that by making sanitary napkins, the women will hone their professional skills. “The objective is to help these women to hone their professional skills and reach these sanitary napkins to as many lower-income people as we can, as well,” she said.Aashraya is a short stay home for women in distress that has been active for the last 28 years. It is funded by the Central Social Welfare Board.first published:August 14, 2012, 08:20 ISTlast updated:August 14, 2012, 08:20 IST 
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