As per study in India only 12% of women use Sanitary Napkins and percentage is much lower in Rural Areas. It is observed that 20 percent of girls do not use toilets in school during menstruation for fear of staining it, and more than two out of five girls had no idea about menstruation when they started with their periods. Of those who had some idea, only 16 percent received any information in school.
There is a potential loss to India on economic and social front as a result of girls dropping out of school due to menstrual health issues and thus getting into early marriages and early pregnancies. More girls in schools mean universal primary education and increased gender parity while contributing to eradication of poverty. Educated mothers also contribute to improved maternal health and reduction in child mortality. Hence, educating and creating awareness for use of Sanitary Napkins and providing easy access to Sanitary Napkins using Vending Machine is of prime importance and can be viewed as a primary need.
Sanitary Napkin Vending Machine is a Self-Service Vending Machine used for dispensing Sanitary Napkins against acceptance of Coins. Proposed Vending Machine has loading capacity of 24 napkins with display for showing Napkin Stock availability. It has Mechanical, single value coin acceptor for Rs.5 Coins and there is no need for electricity.
