Raipur: Sanitary napkins and menstrual cups will be made accessible to Women working in Naxalite organizations as gifts on Diwali this year.
An NGO has taken an initiative this Diwali as part of the 'New Peace Process' campaign to initiate peace talks in the Naxal hit region Bastar.
Women fighters are the backbone of Naxalites
Experts on Naxal matters believe that about 50 per cent of the Naxalite organizations operating in Bastar are women. These women are forced to work in unpropitious circumstances.
Female Naxalites battles with distressing living conditions. Especially the menstrual period is not less than a challenge for them. They are posted at the harsh terrains, struggling with a plethora of physical problems in the adverse conditions of the forest.
Social activist Shubhranshu Chaudhary, who is constantly working for peace in the area, says that we have taken a step forward-thinking about menstrual hygiene of these women aiming to forge amicable relations by bringing peace to the region.
This initiative is on the lines of Colombia. Similar initiatives are taking place in the Latin American country Colombia affected by the Naxalite problem. On the occasion of Christmas, gifts were sent to the Gorilla Fighters. Its positive result was discerned in the direction of peace.
About 15 thousand square kilometres area of Bastar is under the influence of Naxalites. There are around 2500 female Naxalites active in the area. Reaching them is a big challenge.
The social activist further said, "We can divide Bastar into three zones. One of them is the green zone where everything seems normal. The second is the yellow zone where the influence of the force is partly visible. The third zone is red where the influence of Naxalites is absolute. When an outsider or people of the institution try to enter the Red Zone from the Yellow Zone, they are stopped by the Naxalites. On this point, we will give this gift to women Naxalites.''
How much will it cost and where will the fund come from?
The price of a menstruation cup is around 700 rupees. About one thousand rupees is to be spent on a female Naxalite by including the packets of sanitary pads. The goal is to prepare a pack of at least 2500 gifts. The new peace process is trying to raise funds online. Apart from this, some organizations working on women issues and rural health have also assured help.
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