Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Tuesday launched the 'Swechha' programme aimed at the health and hygiene of adolescent girls studying in government schools and colleges by providing quality sanitary napkins at free of cost.

During the launch, the Chief Minister quoting reports, said almost 23 per cent of the young girls in this country are staying away from attending schools and colleges during menstruation and to change these circumstances, the State government has been taking measures right from improving toilets in all government institutions under the Nadu-Nedu initiative to bringing the Swechha programme.

He said under this initiative awareness on menstruation will be created for the students studying between class 7-12, once every month by women teachers, ANMS and women police. Awareness on Disha App and Disha Act will also be given by the women police and Joint Collector (Aasara) will be monitoring the orientation programmes while a women teacher will be appointed as a nodal officer, according to an official release.

"The State government will be providing quality sanitary napkins to over 10 lakh students studying between 7-12 classes at a cost of Rs 32 crore, where each student will be receiving 120 napkins every year," it said.

In addition, the government, in partnership with UNICEF, WASH and P&G, will also be conducting special awareness classes on menstruation and the importance of health and hygiene.

According to the Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council, almost 23 per cent of girls in India drop out of school due to lack of access to sanitary napkins, lack of proper facilities in schools and colleges, including basic amenities like running water in toilets and lack of disposal facilities. Similarly, National Family Health Survey - 4 (2015–16) stated that only 56 per cent of women aged between 15-24 years use sanitary napkins, whereas in National Family Health Survey - 5 (2019–20), it was found that the number increased to 69 per cent.

On the occasion of International Women's Day on March 8 this year, the State government had brought the Sweccha programme under the purview of the Ministry of Women and Child Welfare to create awareness on menstrual hygiene.

Quality sanitary napkins at affordable prices will also be made available in all YSR Cheyutha stores for women in urban and rural areas.