Just a Box? The Untold Truth About Sanitary Pad Vending Machines in India

A Growing Focus on Menstrual Health — But Is It Enough?

In recent years, menstrual health has finally begun to take center stage in public discourse, policies, and development programs across India. From rural schools to public spaces, there’s a noticeable increase in initiatives that aim to make menstruation safer, more hygienic, and less stigmatized. One such visible intervention? The installation of sanitary pad vending machines.

At first glance, this feels like a major win. It signals intent. It reflects budget allocation. It shows that menstruation is no longer being brushed under the carpet. But when we go deeper — as we do through our work at Pinkishe Foundation — a more complex story emerges.

On-Ground Reality: When Good Ideas Don’t Work as Intended

Our teams regularly visit remote schools, community centers, and rural health spaces across the country. While the presence of vending machines is encouraging, what we often find is disheartening:

• Machines that are locked away or stored in inaccessible rooms
• Units lying non-functional with no one assigned to fix them
• Empty dispensers, with no plan in place for regular refills
• Stocked pads left in damp, unhygienic storerooms — spoiled by rodents or moisture
• And perhaps most telling — girls who don’t even know how to use them

In many cases, there was only a one-time installation, without any follow-up mechanism to maintain or monitor these systems. The machines exist, yes. But they aren’t changing anything. They become, quite literally, just a box.

The Bigger Question: Is Installation Being Prioritized Over Implementation?

This is not a complaint — it’s a call for reflection.

We’ve seen incredible intention behind many of these interventions. But intention alone doesn’t improve menstrual health outcomes. What’s needed is a complete, well-supported menstrual ecosystem — where every tool and resource actually works for the girl it was meant to serve.

What Does a Successful Pad Vending Program Look Like?

If we truly want to make menstrual hygiene accessible, especially in rural and underserved communities, we need more than machines. We need systems. Here’s what that could include:

1)Smart Vending Machines

Equip units with IoT-based features that send alerts when pads run low, track usage, and help manage inventory.

2)Central Monitoring

Set up state or district-level dashboards to monitor functionality, refill cycles, and maintenance needs in real-time.

3)Designated Responsibility

Assign clear roles within each school, not vague “someone will handle it” plans. There must be named individuals responsible for restocking, cleaning, and monitoring.

4)Storage and Hygiene Systems

Implement proper shelving and dry storage options for pad inventory. Avoid dumping them in cardboard boxes or damp corners.

5)Orientation and Education

Train students, teachers, and staff on how to use the machines, and destigmatize the conversation around periods.

6)Maintenance Support

Create access to technicians or helplines who can fix faulty machines quickly and regularly.

7)Boys’ Inclusion

Train boys as well — to foster empathy, inclusion, and a supportive school environment.

8)Community Engagement

Conduct sessions with parents, frontline workers, and local leaders to build ownership and awareness around menstrual health.

9)IEC and Visual Cues

Use wall art, posters, and infographics to serve as ongoing reminders and cues about menstrual hygiene practices.

10)Long-Term Handholding

Avoid one-off deployments. Plan for multi-year engagement, monitoring, and capacity-building in every school or community.

11)Recognition and Incentives

Celebrate and reward schools and leadrs who maintain strong systems, encourage healthy competition, and accountability.

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Our Commitment at Pinkishe Foundation

At Pinkishe Foundation, we’ve made it our mission to go beyond installations. Our programs are designed with follow-through and field feedback in mind. We work hand-in-hand with communities to ensure that every intervention, from vending machines to education sessions, is practical, usable, and sustainable.

Because we believe a girl’s dignity deserves more than a symbolic gesture.

Let’s Build Lasting Impact — Together

If you’ve seen similar challenges or innovative solutions, we’d love to learn from your experience. The conversation around menstrual health is growing, and we all have a role to play in shaping it with care, clarity, and compassion.

Together, let’s move beyond visibility and design for continuity, community, and true change.

Get Involved and Learn More

Do you want to know more about how to support girls through their early periods and ensure they have access to the resources they need? Join Pinkishe Foundation's mission to spread awareness and improve menstrual health for young girls across India. Your support can make a huge difference!

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