OTV Impact: Odisha SRC orders distribution of free sanitary pads in 10 flood-hit districts

Hours after OTV aired the news on the difficulties faced by menstruating girls and women in flood-affected areas for not having sanitary pads, the State government has decided to distribute pads in the flood-hit areas free of cost. 

The Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) has written to the Collectors of 10 flood-hit districts- Khordha, Puri, Cuttack, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Nayagarh, Balasore, Bhadrak, Keonjhar and Boudh, asking them to make it sure that girls and women in marooned villages get sanitary pads. 

“Proper medical care along with sanitation measures is essential for women/girls who are marooned due to flood. Hence, you are requested to kindly instruct CDMO to procure sanitary/hygienic as emergency sanitation measures (emergent relief) and distribute to women/girls in the marooned areas. The cost of such expenditure shall be borne by SRC out of SDRF,” the letter states. 

Notably, OTV had telecast a report on how menstruating girls/women of flood-affected Santras village under Gop block in Puri district were suffering due to lack of access to sanitary pads. 

In the village, women and girls had urged the administration to provide them sanitary pads along with other relief materials.