Padman actor Akshay Kumar calls for free sanitary napkins for women

Mumbai: National Award-winning actor Akshay Kumar, who is addressing the issue of menstrual hygiene in his forthcoming film ‘Pad Man’, says women should get sanitary napkins for free as it is a basic necessity for them.

Asked if the ‘Toilet: Ek Prem Katha’ actor wants to reach out to the government to cut down on GST rate of sanitary napkins, Akshay told media on Thursday: “Why just cut down on GST? I think women should have free access to sanitary napkins. This is their basic necessity. It is about menstrual hygiene and not luxury.”

“It is unfortunate and I am ashamed to say that 82 per cent women in this country have no access to sanitary pads and they are mistreated during those five days of their menstruation period. This is unfortunate,” he



added.

‘Pad Man’ is a biopic on Arunachalam Muruganantham, the inventor of a low-cost sanitary pad making machine in India. The subject of ‘Pad Man’ is considered a taboo or a sensitive issue. So what are the elements that he has kept in mind while promoting the film?

“Firstly, do not call it a sensitive issue. It is a natural process of a human body. It is time to get rid of those taboos attached to it. It is time to treat the issue maturely. Also from the women’s end, they should not shy away from talking about the issue, and certainly should not whisper about it,” he said.