In a first of its kind initiative, the Mumbai Police has launched a project to install sanitary pad vending machines and incinerators in 140 spots across the city. Senior police officers said that the move was a part of the city police’s welfare initiatives for its personnel.
The project, Smart Maitrin (female friend in Marathi), was kicked off with the installation of a sanitary vending machine at the headquarters of the Mumbai Police on Monday morning.
The machine was inaugurated at 11.30 a.m. by Mumbai Police Commissioner Sanjay Barve and his wife in the presence of Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Ashutosh Dumbare and his wife; Deputy Commissioner of Police (HQ-II) N. Ambika; and Deputy Commissioner of Police Niyati Thaker. “We hope to have a better, healthier and more vibrant workforce with this move,” Mr. Barve told
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Officials said that the project is Mr. Barve’s brainchild and has been initiated in collaboration with the NGO Maitrin. Mumbai Police spokesperson DCP Manjunath Singe said sanitary pad vending machines and incinerators will be installed in all police stations in the city for the convenience of the women police personnel.
Mr. Singe said, “We have identified a total of 140 spots under our commissionerate where these machines will be installed. The installation work has already begun and will be complete soon.”
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Grievance cell
The welfare of women personnel has for long been on the list of priorities for the Mumbai Police. In 2015, zonal DCPs started holding monthly meetings with women personnel in their respective zones to give them a platform to air their grievances. Women personnel were urged to speak out if they were facing any form of harassment at the hands of colleagues or superiors, and raise concerns such as lack of basic facilities and issues with delegation of duties.