Kozhikode: Sanitary pads are something that can be made easily and at a reasonable cost, proves a few city homemakers.
They are now busy making handmade pads for their family, relatives and friends under the women empowerment initiative of the Providence Women's College here for homemakers in the neighbourhood.
"Most of the napkins available in the markets are synthetic, though durable. They highly risk our health," said P.V. Latha, their trainer. "This mission of self napkin making is to reduce the risk of placing our lives at stake."
They say the unnatural pads are hazardous as garbage collection in the areas they live is irregular. It also turns out to be an expensive affair for the underprivileged.
The group sends across a message: Make your sanitary pads at home instead of spending money on chemically packed pads.
"We were initially given awareness on health issues that others could create. Later sisters of the college trained us to make napkins," said a trainee.The mission initially planned to sell these on the campus for Rs 5 or 6. If found viable, it plans to mechanise the process using the same raw materials with the support of college authorities.Umbrella making, handicrafts, woollen works, tailoring, and bookbinding are some other training programmes. The trainees are supposed to bring raw materials. They sell some of the products at exhibitions as a means of income for many women to be independent. The training is from 10:30 am to 1:00 pm on every working day.
