PROMOTING SANITARY PAD DISPOSAL FOR WOMEN'S HYGIENE
LACK OF AWARENESS AND THE NEED FOR EDUCATION
As a woman living in India, I understand the concerns and worries that come with disposing of sanitary waste. Unfortunately, many Indian women face the same monthly plight due to a lack of education and awareness. These restrictions on women’s lives during menstruation are still prevalent in our society.
THE INCONVENIENCE OF DISPOSING SANITARY NAPKINS
While periods can be occasionally inconvenient, the real challenge lies in the proper disposal of soiled sanitary napkins. This is an issue that demands our attention.
SANITARY HYGIENE EDUCATION: CREATING AWARENESS
In India, sanitary hygiene education is still a relatively new concept. At Arogya Sakhi, our mission is to raise awareness at the grassroots level about the proper use and disposal of sanitary napkins. We collaborate with local and global celebrities, NGOs, and other organizations to spread this important message to women from all walks of life.
MENSTRUAL WASTE DISPOSAL: CHALLENGES AND OPTIONS
Women adopt different approaches to managing menstruation, depending on whether they are at home or outside. At home, menstrual products are often disposed of in domestic waste, while in public toilets, they are flushed down the toilet due to the lack of dedicated bins. Unfortunately, this leads to clogged toilets and potential health hazards.
THE RISKS OF IMPROPER DISPOSAL
Soiled sanitary products are breeding grounds for infections and diseases. Stagnant menstrual blood accumulates bacteria, such as hepatitis and E. coli, which pose serious health risks to workers involved in cleaning and maintenance. The clogged drainage systems need to be manually unblocked and cleaned, putting conservancy workers at risk without proper protection and tools.
PROPER SANITARY PAD DISPOSAL: A CLEAN AND DISCREET SOLUTION
The primary goal of sanitary pad disposal is to get rid of them in a clean and discreet manner. Here are a few simple steps you can follow:
Step 1: Fold the used sanitary pad in half to cover the menstrual blood, leaving only the adhesive side exposed.
Step 2: Wrap a few layers of toilet paper around the pad to keep it folded and secure. Alternatively, you can place the wrapped pad in a small plastic or paper bag, or even inside the wrapper of your next sanitary pad.
Step 3: Discard the wrapped sanitary pad in a covered trash bin.
Step 4: Remember to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after disposal.
Step 5: It is important to regularly empty indoor household trash cans containing used sanitary pads every two days to prevent unpleasant odors and bacterial growth
