Breaking the taboo, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke about menstruation and sanitary pads while touching upon other women-related issues in his seventh consecutive Independence Day speech from the ramparts of the Red Fort on Saturday.
PM Modi said that under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Kendra scheme, the government has started giving away sanitary napkins at Re 1 to empower women and also to keep their health in check.
“In 6,000 Jan Aushadi Kendras, more than 5 crore sanitary napkins have been provided to women in a short period of time,” PM Modi said.
हमने जन-औषधि केंद्र के अंदर एक रूपये में sanitary pads पहुंचाने के लिए बहुत बड़ा काम किया है।
6 हजार जन-औषधि केंद्रों में करीब 5 करोड़ से ज्यादा sanitary pads हमारी गरीब महिलाओं तक पहुंच चुके हैं। #AatmaNirbharBharat pic.twitter.com/civE35aBCT
— BJP (@BJP4India) August 15, 2020
“BREAKING TABOOS”
PM Modi came in for praise from Twitter users for mentioning sanitary napkins in his Independence Day speech. Many of them called it a step towards breaking taboos associated with menstruation.
Several users said that it is rare for a prime minister to talk about menstruation during a national address and it will help in breaking taboos associated with it.
Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar also took to the social media platform to praise the prime minister.
“Our @PMOIndia talking about sanitary pads in his Independence Day speech today is true progress…made menstruation a mainstream topic. Also kudos to the government who has so far distributed sanitary pads to about 5 crore women at Re. 1,” Akshay Kumar said.
Our @PMOIndia talking about sanitary pads in his Independence Day speech today is true progress…made menstruation a mainstream topic. Also kudos to the government who has so far distributed sanitary pads to about 5 crore women at Re. 1 👏
— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) August 15, 2020
BJP leader Amit Malvia said: “When the Prime Minister of India speaks about sanitary pads and his government’s focus on improving women’s health, nutrition and reviewing age of marriage, he is not just breaking social taboos but setting a new narrative when it comes to women empowerment and ensuring equality.”
When the Prime Minister of India speaks about sanitary pads and his government’s focus on improving women’s health, nutrition and reviewing age of marriage, he is not just breaking social taboos but setting a new narrative when it comes to women empowerment and ensuring equality. https://t.co/qzWcLJ7Bjg
— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) August 15, 2020
“That’s what a real progressive leader does,” a Twitter user said while quoting what PM Modi said sanitary napkins in his speech.
Sanitary Napkins available to all at Re 1: PM Modi from Red Ford on Indepddance Day. That’s what a real progressive leader does. Breaks taboos, drives change and equality. @narendramodi ji, you continue to amaze! 😇🙏
— Mahamedhaa Nagar (@mahamedhaanagar) August 15, 2020
In his speech, PM Modi also announced that the government has set up a committee to reconsider the minimum age for marriage of girls in India.
“We have set up a committee to reconsider the minimum age for marriage of our daughters. We will take an appropriate decision after the committee submits its report,” said PM Modi.
Further speaking about the Centre’s role in women empowerment, PM Modi highlighted the role of women in the armed forces, economic empowerment, and the government’s effort to recruit them in the NCC.
He also said that his government is determined to provide equal employment opportunities to women.
“Whenever women have been given an opportunity, they have made India proud and strengthened the country. Today, the nation is determined to provide equal opportunities for self-employment and employment to them,” he said.