Morung Express News
Kiphire | June 15
Kiphire became the first district in Nagaland to launch the Personal Wellness Centre for the production of bio-degradable and eco-friendly sanitary pads for women on June 15.
It is an important day, not only for Kiphire but for Nagaland, as such industry is been launched to enable women and girls to have access to low cost sanitary pad, stated Kashiho Sangtam, Minister for Soil & Water Conservation, Geology & Mining, NSMDC inaugurating the centre.
The launching of ZAK Khingkuhru Personal Wellness Centre at Forest Colony, Kiphire, among others, was attended by various women organizations and SHGs.
Emphasizing on the importance of making sanitary pads accessible to women and girls from rural areas, the minister also urged upon schools, churches and institution to take initiative to sensitize women and girls about the health benefits of using sanitary pads. “One solution that is compelling from both social and economic perspective is the idea of creating low-cost, women owned and operated mini- factories, producing sanitary pads from local agriculture waste,” he added.
Proprietor of the Centre, Atila Sangtam stated that the dream to open the centre was envisioned last year with the objective to empower women and girls, which is also a milestone for women for Kiphire.
The center is not a profit-making venture and will focus towards providing low cost sanitary pads to women and girls from all social and economic background, she said.
“It goes without saying that during periods, you are required to maintain cleanliness and hygiene, not only does it impact your health, but maintaining proper hygiene is also important to prevent certain disease like UTIs or yeast infections,” Atila added.
Pointing out that every year 12.3 million pads are discarded, amounting to 1.13 lakh tonnes of waste, she said sanitary pads produced the Centre is bio-degradable and environment friendly.
Bio-degradable sanitary napkins are a new invention in the personal hygiene space that aims to transform women's period by protecting their health and also helping the environment we live in, Atila maintained.
She further added that for young women and for school going girls in particular, the lack of sanitary products use often results in higher absenteeism and drop-outs rates, which leads to further economic hardships and dis-empowerment.
Also speaking at the event, Muletolu Vero, Co-ordinator, Nehru Yuva Kendra said Kiphire being an 'Aspirational District' should also focus on the welfare of women, girls and children.
