Keralam to Install Rs 10 Sanitary Napkin Vending Machines at Public Places

The Keralam government is set to introduce sanitary napkin vending machines at selected public places as part of an initiative aimed at improving access to menstrual hygiene products for women and girls, particularly those travelling by public transport.

The initiative, named WOMN — Women on the Move & Menstrual Need-s, will begin on Tuesday under the state government's 100-day action programme, according to an official press release.

As part of the pilot project, sanitary napkin vending machines will be installed at 14 KSRTC terminals and depots across Keralam. The initiative is intended to make essential menstrual hygiene products more readily available at public transport facilities, where women and girls may need access to sanitary products while travelling.

The vending machines will provide sanitary napkin packets at an affordable price. Each packet will contain three sanitary napkins and will cost Rs 10. The low-cost availability is expected to make it easier for women and girls to obtain menstrual hygiene products when required without having to leave the transport facility or search for a nearby shop.

Along with the vending machines, sanitary waste incinerators will also be installed at the selected KSRTC locations. The inclusion of incinerators is aimed at providing facilities for the hygienic disposal of used sanitary napkins, addressing both access to menstrual products and the need for appropriate disposal arrangements.

The project will be formally inaugurated by Women and Child Development, Labour, Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development Minister Bindu Krishna at the Thampanoor KSRTC Bus Terminal in Thiruvananthapuram at 5 pm on Tuesday.

The pilot forms part of the state's broader 100-day action programme. By introducing the facilities at KSRTC terminals and depots, the government is focusing on locations used by large numbers of people every day and where access to essential personal hygiene products can be particularly important for travellers.

The WOMN initiative combines two basic requirements of menstrual hygiene management: access to sanitary products and safe disposal. The vending machines will provide an immediate source of sanitary napkins, while the accompanying incinerators will offer designated facilities for disposing of used products.

According to the official release, the initial phase will cover 14 KSRTC terminals and depots. The pilot nature of the project means that the government will first introduce the facilities at these selected locations before assessing the initiative's implementation and reach.

The availability of sanitary napkins at public transport facilities can be especially useful during unexpected periods or when women travelling away from home are unable to purchase menstrual products elsewhere. By placing vending machines at KSRTC terminals and depots, the initiative seeks to bring menstrual hygiene products closer to women in everyday public spaces.

The Rs 10 price point is another key feature of the project. With three sanitary napkins provided in each packet, the government is positioning the vending facility as a low-cost option for women and girls who require sanitary products while using public transport.

The installation of incinerators alongside the vending machines also recognises that providing menstrual products without adequate disposal facilities can create sanitation challenges. The pilot therefore seeks to address both sides of the issue within the same public infrastructure.

The launch of WOMN marks an effort by the Women and Child Development Department to incorporate menstrual hygiene support into public facilities. The initial rollout at KSRTC terminals and depots provides a practical setting for the pilot, given the large number of women and girls who use public transportation for daily commuting and longer journeys.

The project will officially begin with the inauguration at Thampanoor KSRTC Bus Terminal in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday. The government has said that the pilot will cover 14 KSRTC locations across the state, with vending machines supplying sanitary napkins and incinerators supporting their disposal.