GUWAHATI: Assam’s minister of state for Power and PWD, Topon Kumar Gogoi launched ONGC-funded project “Sakhi – a ray of hope” at Yuva Dol, Sivasagar that has facilitated installation of sanitary napkin vending machines for girl students in 18 education institutions in the district in its first phase.
The project is fully funded by ONGC under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and aimed to foster better and scientific menstrual hygiene management for girl students, an ONGC corporate communication official informed.
The Project is being implemented by the district administration, Sivasagar, UNICEF and the ONGC. The project, in its first phase, has been launched across 13 Government Girls’ High Schools of Sivasagar district, Sivasagar Girls College and four other co-education institutions, directly benefiting about 7000 girl students.
Under the project, sanitary napkin vending machines and incinerators to dispose used napkins in a hygienic manner are being installed in these institutions. As part of the launch, Executive Director, ONGC, S D Maske inaugurated the sanitary napkin vending machine at Sivasagar Girls’ College.
The project would also ensure formation of WASH Groups in all these schools and college with a nodal teacher for managing the vending machines and disseminate good habits of safe and hygienic disposal practices, removal of taboo and other sanitation issues.
While launching the project, minister Topon Kumar Gogoi thanked ONGC for its endeavor and support for the welfare of the people of Assam. He appreciated the efforts of ONGC, Sivasagar district administration and UNICEF for conceiving the project on menstrual hygiene of girls, stating that Sivasagar can now be reckoned as the pioneer in this regard in Assam.
The project was set on the roll in presence of Jorhat MP, Kamakhya Prasad Tasa, Deputy Commissioner , Sivasagar Pallav Gopal Jha, Executive Director, ONGC, Assam Asset, S D Maske, CFO, UNICEF, Tushar Rane, Principal Sivasagar Commerce College and President, Sivasagar Press Club, Dr.Saumar Jyoti Mahanta, renowned gynaecologist, Dr Arun Madhab Baruah, Principal Bir Lachit College Dipali Neog, Sarat Hazarika, education secretary, AASU among others.
Executive Director, ONGC, S D Maske stated that ONGC had initiated the Sakhi Project with Sivasagar district administration as female health was at the core of a family’s health and well-being. Installation of vending machines will also address the issue of accessibility and affordability of sanitary napkins for girls, especially from economically underprivileged families. He also urged each and every girl child to be a ‘Sakhi’ for the other girl child to create further awareness. The ONGC official appreciated Sivasagar district administration for fast track and timely launch of the project.
DC, Sivasagar, Pallav Gopal Jha thanked ONGC for supporting such a noble cause stating that menstrual hygiene management is a very crucial area and this is a step towards addressing the issue involving various stakeholders. Appreciating ONGC for coming forward with the idea the DC said that district administration aimed to work with ONGC, UNICEF and other stakeholders to reach out to a large number of girl child creating more awareness on menstrual hygiene.
CFO, UNICEF, Tushar Rane, praising ONGC & Sivasagar district administration remarked that this was for the first time in North East and probably first time in India such an ambitious project is being implemented.