Aimed at benefitting more than 13 lakh females in the first phase, the Punjab Government on Friday launched the women-empowerment oriented Udaan Scheme throughout the State under which sanitary pads would be distributed free of cost to needy women and girls of the state every month.

Launching the scheme on the occasion of International Menstrual Hygiene Day, the state Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Aruna Chaudhary said that the main objective of the scheme is to protect women or girls from menstrual hygiene related diseases, spread awareness about menstrual hygiene, improve accessibility to basic hygiene products, promote better standard of living for women by improving the Quality Of Life, enhance women’s self esteem, and ensure safe disposal of sanitary pads.

Chaudhary informed that under the first phase, a total 1,22,91,300 sanitary pads would be distributed to 13,65,700 beneficiaries through workers and helpers of 27,314 Anganwari Centres. She categorically added that ASHA, ANMs, staff under Department of and local volunteers etc can be roped in as and when needed or shall be involved where Anganwari Centres do not exist.