Kerala Launches WOMN Initiative for Menstrual Hygiene in Public Spaces

By: Women Entrepreneurs Review Team | Wednesday, 7 October 2026

The Kerala government has launched the WOMN (Women on the Move & Menstrual Needs) initiative to make sanitary napkins easily available to women and girls while travelling and using public spaces.

Women and Child Development Minister Bindhu Krishna inaugurated the state-level project at the KSRTC Bus Terminal in Thampanoor, Thiruvananthapuram, on October 6. The initiative is being implemented as part of the state government’s 100-day action program.

The project will initially cover 14 KSRTC terminals and depots, where sanitary napkin vending machines and incinerators are being installed near restroom facilities. Each vending machine will provide a packet containing three sanitary napkins for Rs 10, making menstrual hygiene products available at an affordable price during travel.

Key Highlights:

• Kerala launches the WOMN initiative to provide affordable sanitary napkins at public travel facilities
• Sanitary napkin vending machines and incinerators will be installed across 14 KSRTC terminals and depots
• The scheme will expand to 93 more depots, with tourist destinations and other public spaces also being considered

The incinerators will help to dispose of used sanitary products in an environmentally friendly way. The project is being done by the Women & Child Development Department with HLL Life care.

Menstrual hygiene is closely related to women's health and dignity and access to sanitary products during travel should be considered as a basic requirement,' said Minister Bindhu Krishna in this regard. The government is aiming to gradually scale up the initiative and expand it to tourism hot spots and other public areas in Kerala.

The KSRTC has also applied for expansion of this facility to 93 other depots. The program aims to facilitate women's easy, safe and self-reliant movement in public areas, the government said.

Another key part of the WOMN initiative is tackling the real challenges that women and girls might encounter when using products during a journey, without warning. The project will make menstrual products accessible to the population and make it easier for them to dispose of it in convenient public places, whilst also improving the management of menstrual hygiene.

It is part of a new initiative to make the public space more women friendly," said the Women and Child Development Department. The broader scope of the department's work is the safety, health, financial independence and dignity of women and their capacity to participate in society. The government will be looking to expand the facilities at WOMN in stages and tourist centers and other high footfall public areas are considered to be some of the next areas to be targeted.