Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said today that 3 lakh female students in rural schools will be given sanitary napkins starting next year.
He points out that under a voluntary welfare project, this project will be improved by starting with 3 lakhs and then giving it to all.
He said that he is trying to get government funds so that sanitary napkins can be provided to all schoolgirls under this project based on rural schools.
The Minister of State for Women and Children’s Affairs Mrs. Geetha Kumarasinghe asked in the Parliament today that arrangements should be made to provide sanitary napkins to all school children between the ages of 12 and 18.
Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said:
“On average, there are 16 lakh children in the primary sector in our country. The remaining 24 lakhs are above that. If we look at boys and girls, there are 12 lakh girls. Everyone can be covered if those napkins are given to at least 10 lakhs out of 12. There is no need for major schools. From a CSR project, I have discussed starting this from next year for at least 3 lakh students and increasing it gradually. Primarily they will be provided in rural areas. I am starting with a CSR project. I will see if we can get government funds, then we can give everyone.”
