Kerala’s Women and Child Development Department has launched the ‘WOMN – Women On the Move & Menstrual Needs’ initiative to improve menstrual hygiene facilities for women and girls travelling through KSRTC centres.
The state-level launch was held at the Thampanoor KSRTC bus terminal as part of the state government’s 100-day action programme. The initiative is being implemented by the Women and Child Development Department in collaboration with HLL Lifecare.
In the first phase, sanitary napkin vending machines and incinerators will be installed at 14 KSRTC centres. The machines are being placed near restroom facilities to make access easier for women during travel.
Each vending machine will provide a pack of three sanitary napkins for ₹10. The project also includes incinerators to ensure the hygienic and environmentally safer disposal of used sanitary napkins.
KSRTC cleaning staff will receive training to refill the vending machines and maintain the incinerators. The department has allocated ₹16 lakh for the first phase of the project.
The initiative is planned to expand beyond KSRTC depots to major tourist destinations and other public spaces across Kerala. KSRTC has also requested that the programme be extended to another 93 depots.
The Women and Child Development Department said the initiative aims to make menstrual hygiene products more accessible to women in public spaces and during travel. Affordable access to sanitary products and proper disposal facilities can also support better menstrual hygiene and convenience for women and girls.
The department plans to expand the project in phases to more locations, with the broader aim of creating safer and more comfortable public spaces for women.
