Many menstruating women in Bangladesh do not use sanitary napkins due to their high cost. According to a report by the SNV Bangladesh, over 89 per cent of the country's 78.4 million women still use old clothes or rags since they cannot afford disposable sanitary pads. Annual market value of the sanitary napkin industry in the country is around Tk 3.0 billion, 90 per cent of which is supplied by local manufacturers. The price of per packet sanitary napkin is Tk 120-250, which is not affordable to rural women. Local manufacturers have to import raw materials for sanitary pads from abroad. The cost of these pads remains high in our market because of existing customs and other duties on the raw materials.
Period is a crucial part of the female reproductive process. Sanitary napkins are used during periods so that menstruating women can maintain hygiene and avoid health risks. According to health experts, uterine infection can occur if the women neglect hygiene during periods. Apart from the lack of awareness, many women refrain from using sanitary napkins due to their high cost. So, we urge the authorities concerned to take initiatives so that the prices of sanitary napkins remain affordable for middle- and lower middle-class families. Moreover, all educational institutions across the country should distribute their female students free sanitary pads on a regular-basis.
Md. Maruf Hassan Bhiuyan, Feni,
mdmarufhassanbhiuyen@gmail.com
Reduce sanitary napkins' price
FE Team | Published: July 01, 2023 19:48:03
Reduce sanitary napkins' price
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