Eco-friendly sanitary pads a win for health, environment

Reusable sanitary napkins can be an extremely beneficial alternative to plastic pads, which can be detrimental to both women’s health and the environment, said experts at the 3rd National Conference on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) yesterday.

The two-day (Sunday and Monday) virtual conference was organised by the Department of Population Sciences, Dhaka University, and SNV Netherlands Development Organisation.

Presenting an evaluation report on the Eco-friendly Low-cost Liquid Absorbent (ELLA) Pad, Tuba Ahmad, programme support officer of UN Women Bangladesh, said that availability, affordability, and accessibility of sanitary napkins made from garments scraps contributed to female RMG workers’ physical, financial, and mental wellbeing, along with bringing environmental benefits.

Dr Nazneen Akhter, assistant professor and director of North-South University’s Global Health and Climate Research Institute, said, “The garment sector should encourage this sort of innovative programmes that’s a win-win situation for both workers and owners.”

Maj Mizanur Rahman, CSR and compliance head of Palmal group, said, “Ella Pad has introduced an exceptional, value generating intervention.”

The conference was inaugurated by Planning Minister Muhammad Abdul Mannan. DU VC Prof Md Akhteruzzaman was a special guest at the event.

Source: The Daily Star

Reference image by: Noor A Alam, source: TBS News