Installation of Sanitary napkin vending machines in 10 Public toilets in Chennai
Rotary International Dist.3232 under leadership of District Governor J Sridhar handed over 10 sanitary napkins vending machines to Commissioner of greater Chennai corporation Shri Gagandeep Singh Bedi IAS as a part of a larger global program to eradicate period poverty enable easy access to Menstrual Health & Hygiene and Sanitary products.
The project “Happy Periods“ aims to provide good quality sanitary napkins to the low income group people at just Rs. 1 per pad. Rotary International district 3232 has come forward to install such vending machines in the 10 public toilets in zone 4 and zone 5 of greater Chennai corporation, as a pilot. This installation was made possible through the funding provided by Rotary Club of Madras Temple City and Shankara Buildpro. Geo Foundation is subsidizing the pricing for the weaker segments of society and has been able to provide the pads to the consumer at just Rs. 1. The plan is to cover all the public toilets under Chennai Corporation. after studying need and usage patterns.
The Commissioner Shri Gagandeep Singh Bedi IAS formally inaugurated the project and witnessed the demo run conducted by Smt. Sneha IAS . He expressed his appreciation for the thoughtful service provided by the Rotarians. Dist. Governor J Sridhar said that Rotary International, a global service organization with 1.2 million members worldwide, is having Rotarian Shekhar Mehta, an Indian as Rotary International President for the year 2021 2022. His focus is on the women and girl child empowerment, as their wellness ensures a strong and able society.
In line with this vision, Rotary International district 3232 comprising of 150+ clubs in Chennai, has been doing many projects serving the society. Starting March 2021, Rotary has installed sanitary napkins dispensing machines in all the Chennai metro Stations ( 40 nos) , and in All-women police stations (43 nos), and office of the Director General of Police ( 2) . To date 85 such dispensers have been placed across the city.
Present on the occasion were Rtn. Dr Ravi Varma, Dist Director Community services Health, Rtn. SN Balasubramanian district Director Vocational services, Rtn. Vidhya Srinivasan Advisor District Menstrual Health and Hygiene, Rtn. Sarada Ramani, Chairman Menstrual Health and Hygiene and Rtn. Chandu Nair Past President Rotary Club of Madras Temple City who also represented the sponsors M/s BuildPro along with Smt Priya Jemima and Mr George of Geo Foundation.
Details of the locations for the pilot project as a first phase:
- Annai Satya Nagar
- SM colony
- OSH Rd
- LGN Border Thootam
- Wood ward
- Ambedkar Street East , Suzhlpunal Karai
- A.E Koil Street , New Washermenpet
- Ammani Ammal thottam , Seniamman Koil Street
- Jeevarashinamam Salai,New Amaranjipuram
- Meenambal Nagar Cross Street
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