As part of its initiative to promote menstrual hygiene, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee installed sanitary pad vending machines in its premises. The social initiative is a part of IIT Roorkee Cognizance. Cognizance is the annual tech fest of IIT Roorkee.

A programme ‘Stories of Solidity’ was organised in the university on Wednesday during which issues like women empowerment and menstrual hygiene management were discussed. On the day, four vending machines were installed at the girls’ washroom of the campus.  The girls can take out sanitary pad from the machine by inserting a five rupee coin. An incineration machine has also been installed along with the vending machines in which the used pads would get incinerated.  The founder of Sukarma Foundation Maya Vishwakarma who is also known as 'pad women' said menstruation should be included in the curriculum so that it is not considered a taboo.

The overall coordinator of Cognizance-2019, Tushar Bairagi said “The vending machines are electronically operated and will provide ease to the girls in case of emergency. Menstrual myths have a long history rooted in our lack of understanding of the human body and our habit of deductive reasoning based on symptoms. But our beliefs and practices must change with time and with scientific advancement”.

He further said that a recent study suggests that in India, 50 percent of the girls have no knowledge about menstruation and how to manage it when they have their first period. “We believe in a world where every woman and girl can manage her menstruation hygienically with confidence and without stigma”, he said.