When Health workers in Kakkodi grama panchayat started talking about menstrual cups three years ago, women in the panchayat were quite skeptical about it. There were doubts, fear, and embarrassment. But with three years of meticulous and targeted awareness campaigns and distribution of cups free of cost, the panchayat is well on its way to be the first in the district to comprehensively adopt menstrual cups.
“Those who ran away at the mention of menstrual cups then are now asking for them, especially youngsters,” said Mallika Punathil, health standing committee chairperson of the panchayat.
The panchayat has been setting aside funds for menstrual cup distribution and creating awareness for three years. “Our primary concern was reducing waste. It was our former medical officer Divya P.K. who advised us about combining menstrual hygiene with reducing waste,” Ms. Mallika said.
The panchayat organised extensive awareness campaigns on menstrual cups among women with the help of Kudumbasree and Haritha Sabha members, highlighting cost-effectiveness, ease of use, and absence of waste as they switched from sanitary napkins to menstrual cups. The free cup distribution was done alongside.
By December 2024, the panchayat had distributed 200 cups per year on average, the major beneficiaries of which were young women and girls. “Mothers are resistant to change. But they advised their daughters to adopt the cup, and the result has been phenomenal,” Ms. Mallika said.
The panchayat is now planning to continue it over the coming years. “We have covered only nearly 50% of the women in the panchayat. We will not stop until we attain 100% target,” she added.
Published – February 05, 2025 01:45 am IST
