Another DU college gets sanitary napkin dispensing machine

NEW DELHI: Delhi University's Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies has inaugurated a sanitary napkin dispenser within their campus premises.

The machine has been installed under 'Mission AAA' (Awareness, Availability and Affordability), launched by CSR Research Foundation, an NGO, in collaboration with ONGC. The machine will make sanitary napkins more affordable and readily accessible, by dispensing a pad at a nomimal cost of Rs 5.

The initiative is aimed at encouraging dialogue on issues related to menstruation and feminine hygiene.

At the inauguration, college principal Dr Poonam Verma spoke about the taboo surrounding menstruation and appreciated the efforts of students.

The initiative is the brainchild of the college's marketing society, Mark-It.

Before the installation, Mark-It conducted a series of preliminary events and awareness campaigns, which focused on breaking myths and stigmas surrounding menstruation, and developing an open environment in the campus.

In September, Indraprastha College for Women became the first college in Delhi University to set up a sanitary pad vending machine in its campus.

"In case of an emergency, it becomes extremely tedious for the students to go around looking for a sanitary napkin. Earlier, they had to exit the campus to buy napkins which was very inconvenient," said Kajal, vice-president of Mark-It.