Kamal Haasan launches 'Unstain' movement to aide in rural menstrual hygiene; necessity or publicity?

The initiative has been taken up by MNM to remove stains and stigmas of the society, associated with periods, under the banner #NoMoreKarai.

Speaking at the launch Kamal Haasan said that, "The idea of the movement is to reach as many women as possible in the State. In the next six months, we would be distributing 5000 such kits to women across the State. And, to achieve this number we have joined hands with Rotary and other volunteers". 

He also added that many girls are dropping out from school due to these issues.

In a State like Tamil Nadu where there is greater outreach of women’s hygiene, it is to be seen how effective such programs can be. With the outlook from Kamal Haasan’s own speech being only 5000 kits in the next 6 months, this more or less seems like a program that is aimed at solving an already addressed issue. 

Free vending machines are now available at public places like bus stands, railway stations and other places. It maybe recalled that in 2011 Former CM Jayalalithaa launched distribution of free sanitary napkins to rural girls, new mothers and girls studying in government schools, government hospitals, primary health centres, village sub centres, anganwadis, rural nurses and even Integrated Child Development Scheme centres were asked to distribute free napkins.

Added to this is the fact that, high quality branded pads are available at an approximate cost of minimum Rs. 23 for 8 pads, which is very much affordable to the vast majority of our public. Thus, it is to be analysed what is the real outcome of such campaigns.