K’taka first to give menstrual cups to students aged 16-18

Bengaluru: In a first in the country, the state government decided to distribute menstrual cups to all adoloscent girls in government schools. To start with, the health department kicked off the programme in two districts on Wednesday by distributing cups to 300 girls, aged between 16 and 18 years.

A menstrual cup, which is an alternative to sanitary pad and tampon, is a reusable device that is meant to catch and collect period fluid.

Health minister K Sudhakar launched Maitri Menstrual Cup in Chamarajnagar and Dakshina Kannada districts. The Maitri programme is an extension of Shuchi scheme, through which the department distributed free sanitary napkins to girls aged between 10 and 18.

The cups will be provided to girls of 16-18 age group, registered with government and aided colleges, over the next two months. Around 10,000 will be covered under the pilot programme. “I urge all adolescent girls, especially those from rural and tribal communities, to break the taboo around menstruation and adopt modern methods for hygiene,” he said. The programme will be extended to all districts in a year’s time.

Dr Veena V, deputy director of the Shuchi scheme of the directorate of health and family welfare Services, told the media agency: “Girls will be educated extensively in every way — via video, audio, pamphlets, handouts, counselling, etc.”