Gujarat to give free sanitary pads to 1 million schoolgirls

The Gujarat Education Department has approved Rs 46.68 crore to provide free sanitary napkins to one million girls in Classes 6 to 12 in state government schools. Under the scheme, each eligible girl will receive Rs 360 annually, with oxo-biodegradable pads worth Rs 30 distributed monthly through their schools. The initiative aims to improve menstrual hygiene and reduce absenteeism, especially in rural and remote areas.

Every school has been directed to appoint a woman nodal teacher to oversee distribution and help girls discuss menstrual concerns, provide information on personal hygiene, and address misconceptions. Schools must also dispose of used napkins as per the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, wrapping them in paper and keeping them separate from other waste. Incinerators must be functional and serviced regularly.

The programme is led by chief minister Bhupendra Patel, education minister Pradyuman Vaja, and minister of state Rivaba Jadeja. It follows the 'Samras Vidya Setu' campaign launched in July to re-enrol over 80,000 school dropouts, with a target of 'Zero Dropout'.