International Women's Day 2021: Andhra To Launch Free Sanitary Pads Scheme

International Women's Day 2021: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has announced to launch free distribution of sanitary napkins for students of classes 7 to 12 in government educational institutions on the occasion of International Women's Day on Monday. In a review meeting held on Friday, Chief Minister Reddy directed the officials to focus more on the health and hygiene of girls. As per reports, the government will spend a total of ₹ 41.4 crores per annum for this scheme. This year, the theme for International Women's Day 2021 is 'Choose To Challenge'.

Free Sanitary napkins will be given to girls of government schools, junior colleges, and Gurukul schools from July 1. Each girl will be given 10 sanitary napkins each month, and 120 napkins every year. These sanitary napkins will be available at Cheyutha Grocery shops at affordable prices. Officials stated that the tenders will be completed by April 15 and MoUs (memorandum of understanding) will be signed between reputed companies and MEPMA (Mission for Elimination of Poverty in Municipal Areas) and SERP (Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty) by the end of April.

Additionally, Reddy instructed the officials to provide the best coaching for girls who are appearing for competitive exams and ordered them to prepare an action plan to take the help of reputed coaching centres along with the laptops provided to them by the government under the Ammavodi scheme. The Chief Minister told the officials that the coaching should use technology and laptop, and it should be interactive with the help of selected professional support. He also said that the action plan should ensure that the program is utilised by a maximum number of students.

International Women's Day - Andhra Free Sanitary Pads Scheme

International Women's Day is celebrated worldwide every year on March 8 to recognise the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women across the globe. It seeks to celebrate women's achievements, raise awareness about equality, and lobbies for accelerated gender parity.