Patna: An educated woman public representative can be a harbinger of change in the society. Dawan panchayat mukhiya, Sushumlata Kushwaha has proved it by setting up not only a semi-automatic sanitary pad machine in her panchayat in Jagdishpur block of Bhojpur district but also supplying pads to at least eight panchayats and creating awareness about menstrual hygiene in the society.
A postgraduate and mother of two daughters and a son, Sushumlata, who is also known as ‘Pad Wali Mukhiya’ in the district, says that her venture as a member of Jeevika self-help group (SHG) is receiving positive response in schools where she conducts workshops.
“There are 10 people in my group, including one male. The idea about menstrual hygiene struck me during a meeting in Hyderabad. When I inquired about it in the neighbouring panchayats, the women told me they still use ash and clothes during periods,” she said.
“The govt provides Rs300 for pads in schools, but never inquires whether the girls buy it or not. I approached the then Bhojpur DM with the idea. Then I set up this machine with Rs10 lakh govt help under Mukhyamantri Nav Pravartan Yojana and investing Rs7 lakh through SHG. I, along with my group members, started visiting schools in the district to make girls aware about how important is menstrual hygiene for them. I roped in male members of the society as well because they also must know about it to keep their daughters and wives safe,” Sushumlata said.
She said men have gradually started realising its importance. “In a recent meeting at Ara, Kusumha mukhiya Abhay Kurma appreciated my efforts and asked me to visit his panchayat.
“I recently received an order to supply 1500 sanitary pads to the ICDS for distribution among the adolescent girls affiliated with Anganwadis of all child development projects in the district for menstrual hygiene management,” said Sushumlata, who was elected as the mukhiya for the first time in 2016.
Her unit produces about 4,500 pads per day. A packet of six pads is available for just Rs23 and is sold in nearby villages and panchayats.
The writer has a vast experience of over 30 years in the field of...
Read MoreThe writer has a vast experience of over 30 years in the field of journalism, as a reporter and a news editor. He has officiated as a bureau head and presided over the local desk in Patna and abroad. He has covered a variety of topics, from politics to sports, in India and abroad. He has covered top golfers and tennis players in tournaments held in Doha (Qatar).
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