Bhubanewar: In a bid to encourage and ensure menstrual hygiene and as a part of its pro-women initiative, Odisha government on Monday launched 'Khushi' scheme to provide sanitary napkins 'free of cost' to girl students in schools of the State.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced the launching of the universal provisioning of free sanitary napkins to all the 17 lakh girl students in both government and aided schools from Class VI to XII.
"I am sure this step will go a long way in promoting health and hygiene among school going adolescent girls leading to higher retention in schools and greater empowerment of women, "said Patnaik.
Stating that his government has been committed to empowerment of women, Patnaik further stated, “ In addition to this we will also expand social marketing of sanitary napkins for women and girls in the community at subsidized rates.”