Jharsuguda: The district administration on Friday launched ‘Abhaya’, an initiative to install sanitary napkin vending machines and disposal incinerators at govt establishments and public facilities across Jharsuguda.In a symbolic gesture, collector Kunal Motiram Chavan asked two students of Beheramal Ashram School, Yoshada Kujur and Hanshika Pradhan, to inaugurate the initiative instead of doing it himself, highlighting its focus on menstrual dignity and women’s empowerment.“Access to safe menstrual hygiene should never be an afterthought, an inconvenience, or a barrier to a woman’s professional and academic aspirations. Through Abhaya, our vision is to ensure dignity, health and comfort in every public space,” Chavan said.The facilities have initially been introduced at key public places, including Zilla Pathagar (district library) and Sanskruti Bhavan. The library is used by several women students preparing for competitive examinations.Civil services aspirant Chiki Majhi said lack of access to sanitary pads during emergencies often caused inconvenience. “Many of us travel 7 to 10 km every day and spend eight to 10 hours studying at the library. Unexpected periods often forced us to interrupt our studies and look for sanitary pads. With the vending machine and disposal facility available inside the washroom, we can now study without such worries,” she said.Officials said the vending machines, procured through Govt e-Marketplace (GeM), work through a manual token-and-coin mechanism and dispense two sanitary pads for Rs 10. Each unit is equipped with an incinerator for safe disposal of used napkins.The administration plans to extend the facility to more govt establishments, public libraries and working women’s hostels across the district. Officials said the initiative is aimed at making menstrual hygiene facilities part of public infrastructure while promoting awareness and reducing stigma around menstruation.