Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Jan 21: The Karnataka health department will begin training teachers and mothers and roll out a statewide awareness campaign as it prepares to supply menstrual cups to schoolgirls over the next two months, marking a significant shift in menstrual hygiene management in educational institutions.
The initiative will focus on girls studying in classes 9 to 12, with the department planning a phased rollout of menstrual cups in schools and colleges. To help students transition comfortably, menstrual cups will be distributed along with sanitary pads sufficient for six months, officials said.
To ensure acceptance and correct usage, the health department is working with non-governmental organisations to train teachers and mothers, enabling them to guide students and address concerns.
Officials said the move is expected to reduce dependence on sanitary pad incinerators and vending machines, which have posed operational challenges in many educational institutions.
Health and family welfare department principal secretary Harsh Gupta said orders have been issued to supply menstrual cups to girls in classes 9 to 12. “Funds have been provided to all departments to procure menstrual cups and distribute them to students,” he said.
The health department has earmarked Rs 71 crore for the procurement of menstrual cups and sanitary pads, and clarified that there will be no intermediaries involved in the supply chain.
Gynaecologist Dr Meenakshi Bharat stressed the need for household-level awareness. “Children should educate their mothers about menstrual hygiene. If mothers understand this properly, children will remain healthier,” she said.
She added that efforts are also under way to train anganwadi workers and teachers on menstrual cup use. “This method was tried earlier and met with some success, but much more awareness is needed. Around 50 per cent progress has been achieved so far,” she said.