Karnataka To Distribute Menstrual Cups Instead Of Pads To Students

Karnataka has taken a bold step towards how menstrual hygiene is handled in government schools and colleges. Instead of continuing with free disposable sanitary pads, the state is now preparing to provide menstrual cups to more than 10 lakh students.

This drive will be part of the existing Shuchi scheme, which supplies menstrual hygiene products. A ₹61 crore budget is approved for the menstrual cup distribution initiative.

Karnataka previously spent nearly ₹71 crore annually on disposable sanitary pads, according to a report in The News Minute. Officials estimate that menstrual cups could reduce recurring expenditure by about ₹10 crore per year, even though the upfront cost is higher.

How the Programme Will Work

Students in government schools and colleges will receive menstrual cups along with guidance on how to use, clean, and store them. The state plans to run awareness sessions so first-time users are not left confused or uncomfortable.

Importantly, officials have clarified that no one will be forced to use a menstrual cup.

The goal is to give students an option that is safe, long-lasting, and cost-effective, not to impose a single method of menstrual care. Sanitary pads will be available and distributed for three months from the implementation of the new policy.

Concerns 

Menstrual cups require access to clean water and private washing spaces. In some rural schools, toilets are still poorly maintained. Without proper infrastructure, students may struggle to use cups comfortably.

There’s also the issue of hesitation. Many girls grow up with little information about their own bodies. Introducing an internal product without careful education could instil fear and resistance.

How the program is implemented

This initiative is being implemented under Karnataka’s Shuchi Scheme, the state’s menstrual hygiene programme, which focuses on distributing free sanitary napkins to girls in government schools and colleges.

The scheme is implemented by the Department of Health and Family Welfare, with supply handled by the Karnataka State Medical Supplies Corporation Limited (KSMSCL).

The approach brings menstrual cups into the Shuchi framework as a sustainable option, though the sanitary pads will be supplied during this phase for three months from the implementation of the scheme.

Why Government Is Moving Away from Pads

For years, Karnataka has distributed free sanitary napkins under welfare schemes. While this improved access, it also created two major problems: high costs and waste generation.

Pads need to be replaced every few hours and supplied every month. Which means the government has to keep supplying them regularly. Menstrual cups, on the other hand, are a one-time distribution that can last several years.

Addressing School Absenteeism 

The expanded scheme seeks to address a very important concern raised in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, reports of adolescent girls missing school due to the unavailability of sanitary napkins.

Supply chain disruptions under the Shuchi scheme had reportedly led to gaps in distribution in some areas, affecting regular attendance among menstruating students.

The scheme's mainstream attention is towards combating this pressing issue and solving it meticulously. By moving towards long-lasting menstrual products, the government hopes to prevent these disruptions and ensure girls are not held back in their education because of basic hygiene needs.

The scheme is aimed at bringing sustainable and economical viability, bringing modern solutions. If implemented well, Karnataka’s menstrual cup programme could become a model for the rest of the world, proving that menstrual health policies don’t have to be wasteful and expensive.

Views expressed by the author are their own.