ABIDA WAR
It’s taboo to talk of menstruation in Kashmir. The social conditioning is so deep that in many families, even mothers hesitate to talk about it to their daughter. Over the last few years, I have spoken at scores of awareness sessions across Kashmir, addressing girls on menstrual health and hygiene. Every time, a hush falls upon the audience. The girls start fidgeting. They feel embarrassed that I choose to talk about this subject.
And simultaneously, Kashmir is also a progressive society. In January last year, we opened a sanitary pads manufacturing unit at Handwara. This was the third unit of its kind in Kashmir. The first two units were opened in Kupwara district and in Baramulla district in the second half of 2022.
The district administration played a pivotal role in opening all these units by providing the finance. Handwara is my hometown. As Supervisor in the government-run Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme and Chairperson of JKSEWWA (JK Solace Employees Working Women Association), a non-government organization, I was entrusted with the opening of the sanitary pads manufacturing unit in Handwara, and also with its functioning.
Now, we consider this unit our start-up baby, managed and run by women. The project is ‘Ba-Ikhtiyar Kwateen, Khushkun Kashmir’ – The empowered women of a happy Kashmir. We have the full support of the government in positive initiatives which empower women and provide them with employment. The Deputy Commissioner of Kupwara provided aid of Rs 5 lakh for setting up the project.
DC Kupwara and the J&K Education Department have pitched in to raise awareness regarding menstrual hygiene. Health and Hygiene Clubs in various schools have been provided with sanitary pads. Regular talks on health, hygiene and menstrual awareness are organized.
The Visible Shift In Attitudes
Over the last one year, I have witnessed a definite shift in the attitude of women towards menstrual hygiene.
They understand that the health of women is closely linked to menstrual health and hygiene. Hence women must be given safe options for menstrual hygiene management. The biodegradable sanitary pads manufactured at our unit are a significant step in this direction. These sanitary pads are made with banana stem fibre. They are 100 percent biodegradable.
The project was set up with the training provided to the women by Vatsalya Foundation, an NGO which has presence in 26 states across India. Local womenfolk were trained in handling the manufacturing process for the sanitary pads.
Self Help Groups Will Run The Start-Up
Initially, we had set up manually operated machinery to manufacture the sanitary pads. Now we want to install more semi-automated machinery to achieve higher production. Currently, the unit can manufacture 1000 sanitary pads in assembly line production. Through the sale of sanitary pads, the unit is able to generate revenue. The price of the sanitary pad has been kept very low so that these remain easily affordable for all women.
Space Provided By Jenab Mohd Ramzan Beigh
The sanitary pads manufacturing unit at Handwara could be made functional with the support of a local philanthropist. Jenab Mohd Ramzan Beigh provided the use of his building for setting up the unit and did not charge any rent.
He said that it made him feel happy that women and girls of the area would get employment and they would be empowered through the new project that has been started in the township.
Such initiatives act as a force multiplier. They carry strong, positive messaging of empowerment and inspire girls and women to be self-reliant.
