Felt and Yarn Installs Sanitary Pad Vending Machine In Its Office And Factory

Felt & Yarn has placed a sanitary pad vending machine in its office in an effort to provide basic medical care to its female artisans. The company installed each vending machine in its 2 factories and main office. 

Menstruation and menstrual hygiene have been a persisting taboo in most Nepali societies. Women specifically from the marginalized communities are not aware of health and sanitation leading to health issues. Thus, to encourage workers to practice good menstrual hygiene, Felt and Yarn in collaboration with Jasmine Hygiene products, installed 3 automatic sanitary napkin vending machines. 

Out of more than 500 staff of the company, 90% of the staff are local household women artisans. However, the majority of them do not use sanitary napkins and prefer the traditional method during mensuration which is not safe for their reproductive health. 

Hence, the company installed a card-operated sanitary napkin vending machine to provide a safe and healthy option to its women artisans. This has helped the women artisans to work without worry and embarrassment during menstruation.

“Having sudden period cramps while working at the office made it uncomfortable to work and had to leave the work mid-working hour. I also had to take unnecessary leave due to having periods. Now, with the availability of an automatic pad dispensing machine, I feel more comfortable to continue working even when having sudden cramps and periods.” said Operation Assistant Dikshya Acharya. 

Felt and Yarn have been promoting the welfare of its staff through various campaigns and safety training courses. Previously, the company also conducted fire safety training and first aid training, and a health camp to facilitate its employee. 

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