First-aid kits are easily available in public places. Sadly, sanitary pads are not, even when 50% of our country’s population has periods and sometimes it comes unannounced. Because neither are periods looked upon as a health emergency nor are free and easily accessible sanitary pads considered a necessity.
This was further highlighted when a Twitter user @krispycrabb shared that while she and her friend were at a reputed multiplex, PVR, her friend got her period and they couldn’t find sanitary pads, neither in the multiplex nor in the washrooms.
This is just a random story but it made me think ? I was at PVR this morning for a movie with a friend. She got her period randomly and couldn’t find any sanitary pads or products at PVR.
— peanut🥰👌 (@krispycrabb) January 29, 2023
It was striking for her to realise how underdeveloped we are when it comes to period health and she argued that public places should set up stations where women can find sanitary products.
It just strikes me how underdeveloped we are in terms of period health and accessibility. How is it that public spaces have not yet adapted and considered setting up stations that hold sanitary products?
— peanut🥰👌 (@krispycrabb) January 29, 2023
It doesn’t really have to be an unpaid thing that’s a different conversation for some other time but the fact that it wasn’t even considered made me think about how neglected period health and accessibility is and how it needs to be addressed.
— peanut🥰👌 (@krispycrabb) January 29, 2023
They approached the staff in the multiplex and asked people in the washroom but all in vain. Not just multiplexes and malls, but libraries, restaurants, schools, colleges, and every other public space should consider setting up a sanitary pad vending machine.
Anyway we asked around in the washroom, staff members, and janitors if they could help us out but no luck. I think it’s high time that this change needs to be spoken of as well as implemented.
— peanut🥰👌 (@krispycrabb) January 29, 2023
Public spaces should have facilities that cater towards periods ! It’s just a small step but would go a long way. I couldn’t stop thinking about the staff at PVR as well and how they could also benefit from installation of a simple vending machine.
— peanut🥰👌 (@krispycrabb) January 29, 2023
I hope other public spaces such as malls, work spaces, parks, libraries, schools, colleges, restaurants take a note of these too.
— peanut🥰👌 (@krispycrabb) January 29, 2023
Several people on Twitter agreed with her and some even shared stories of not finding sanitary pads even at airports. This went on to show how women’s health is deprioritized in general.
Remember seeing an empty sanitary pad station at the Mumbai airport recently, and had the same thought. It basically boils down to how women basic issues are deprioritised.
— sana farzeen (@SanaFarzeen) January 30, 2023
Women health are always taken for a toss in the country. Famous public spots are not specially abled friendly as well.
— #Anish (@moviebeing) January 30, 2023
I have lived in Dubai for a fair bit and Europe too (for a year). I don’t think it’s a problem faced only in India (honestly I don’t even think it’s an emergency issue). Wife faced the same issue while watching a movie and I went to a nearby pharmacy (in the same mall) & got it
— AfricanNRI (@AfricanNri) January 30, 2023
Before airports got vending machines – between security check and walking to my gate, I got my period & were no pharmacies anywhere at the Mumbai international airport. Not one bathroom attendant could help. I had to use tissues. Thankfully it was only a 3 hour flight.
— Roxanne D’souza (@Head2Heels_) January 30, 2023
Indeed, such initiatives would help the masses in general. Plus it’s high time we openly talk about it.
— Abhishek Bhandari (@1988_abhishek) January 30, 2023
This is important. I think all amusement parks, theatres etc. should mandate its availability!
— Mirror of Erised (@iamsalik) January 30, 2023
Do you think all public places should have a stock of sanitary napkins and other period products in case of any emergency?