The Manipuri Students' Federation (MSF) on Thursday appealed to all the concerned to install sanitary pads vending machines at all the educational institutes across the state before the academic session 2023-24 commences.
Speaking to the media at MSF office in Imphal, MSF women affairs secretary Ksh Lanleima recalled the launching of Chief Minister's Menstrual Hygiene Scheme (CMMHS) in 2022 followed by the announcement made by the government for installing Sanitary Pads Vending Machine in at least 38 schools of Manipur.
She said that it is necessary to fully implement the CMMHS scheme to provide access to high-quality sanitary napkins by adolescent girls in both urban and rural areas. She asserted the need to raise awareness on sanitary napkins so as to empower and boost the self-esteem of girls.
She also urged the state government to establish Girls' Common Rooms in all government and private educational institutions of Manipur.
The MSF Women's Affairs Cell will be closely monitoring the government and private schools in the state soon to ensure women's issues and matters in educational institutes are dealt with certain strategic policies, she said.
In this regard, the student body has also planned to submit a memorandum to the Education minister and other authorities concerned, she added.
