Tue Nov 19 15:00:22 UTC 2024: ## Hyderabad School Receives Sanitary Napkin Incinerator to Combat Menstrual Stigma
**Hyderabad, November 19, 2024** – A new sanitary napkin incinerator was inaugurated today at the Government High School in Azampura, Hyderabad, marking a significant step towards improving menstrual hygiene and tackling the stigma surrounding menstruation. The initiative, part of the “Menstrual Equity” project, is a collaboration between the Youngistan Foundation, the Telangana State Innovation Cell, and Altimetrik India Private Limited.
The incinerator, capable of burning sanitary napkins at 850°C, reducing them to sterile ash, addresses the environmental and health concerns associated with improper disposal of menstrual waste. According to project organizers, billions of sanitary napkins end up in landfills annually, posing significant environmental and health risks. This initiative aims to prevent approximately 1.5 lakh sanitary pads from reaching landfills annually.
Hyderabad District Collector Anudeep Durishetty, speaking at the inauguration, emphasized that the technology itself isn’t new, but the real challenge lies in overcoming the social stigma surrounding menstruation. He urged students to utilize the incinerator and promptly report any technical issues.
Student health ambassadors played a key role in the inauguration, educating their peers about menstrual hygiene and the functioning of the incinerator. The “Menstrual Equity” project plans to install similar incinerators in ten government schools across Hyderabad and Rangareddy districts, benefiting approximately 2,500 girls.
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