Ujjwala Sanitary Napkins initiative

Context: The Ujjwala Sanitary Napkins initiative has been launched by three oil marketing companies – IOCL, BPCL and HPCL.

Key highlights of the scheme:

• The mission, which forms part of the CSR initiative of OMCs in Odisha, is aimed to educate women on female hygiene and health, improve accessibility to low cost eco-friendly sanitary pads and boost rural employment and economy.
• The three companies will set up 100 manufacturing units at the Common Service Centres (CSC)covering 93 Blocks across 30 districts of Odisha at an estimated cost of ₹2.94 crore.
• At least 10 Ujjwala beneficiary women will get employment at each CSC. Each facility will have a capacity to produce 1,200-2,000 pads per day and will have a sterilisation room to ensure that the napkins are sterilised before they are packed for use by rural women.
• The CSCs are also being provided with raw material, enough to make 45,000-50,000 pads. These napkins will be priced at ₹40 per pack, each containing eight pads.
• The Ujjwala pads will be made of virgin wood pulp sheet, non-woven white sheet and a gel sheetwhich are all biodegradable in nature and will leave minimal carbon footprint.

Sources: the hindu.