Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida on Thursday announced that dedicated breastfeeding rooms will be set up in public places like malls, railway stations, and bus stands within two to three months.
This initiative aims to allow women to breastfeed comfortably during travel. “We plan to set up breastfeeding rooms in public places in two or three months, so that women can breastfeed their babies without any hesitation while travelling,” she said.
In March, the Supreme Court had ruled that the Union and state governments have a legal obligation to provide adequate facilities to facilitate breastfeeding in public spaces, which adding that the practice of breastfeeding in public places and workplace should not be stigmatised.
Additionally, the Odisha government is promoting menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls. Schools have been directed to install sanitary vending machines, and the state is also encouraging gifting sanitary pads to brides at weddings.
Parida further noted that sanitary pads are now available for Re 1 at Jan Aushadhi stores, aiming to normalise their use and eliminate associated social stigma. “Earlier, women in villages were not aware of use of sanitary pads. This social stigma associated with it can be abolished only family members will buy sanitary napkins just like grocery items,” she stressed.
