States »EasPosted at: Jun 1 2021 7:16PM

Assam Govt includes sanitary napkins in flood relief materials

Guwahati, Jun 1 (UNI) The Assam government has included sanitary napkins to the list of relief materials to be distributed among women and adolescent girls affected by floods and other
natural disasters.
In an official order Revenue and Disaster Management Department Commissioner and
Secretary M S Manivannan said considering the maintenance of the dignity of women and
adolescent girls during flood etc, the DCs and SDOs have been asked to include sanitary
napkins in the list of relief items from GR (Gratuitous Relief) fund.
Many NGOs have been advocating the cause for quite some time. A digital campaign was
also run by public health activists named 'Dignity of Floods' in change.org demanding the
construction of "50 women-friendly flood shelters in the 10 most flood-prone districts in the
state for the safety and dignity of our women."
The petition also urged the government to build gender-segregated toilets and bathing
facilities with the provision of menstrual hygiene products, special provisions for lactating
mothers and pregnant women, and visits of welfare officials to ensure women's safety.
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