Red Alert: Kerala activists send sanitary pads to factory where menstruating women were insulted

Kochi, Jan 1: After the much-debated and discussed 'Kiss of Love' campaign, yet another campaign has been launched by the activists in Kerala. This time, the campaign is against the society's attitude towards menstruating women.

The campaign, which was launched in protest against a factory in the state where more than 40 women employees were forced to undergo a strip search after a used sanitary napkin was found in a latrine, is aptly titled as 'Red Alert Campaign'.

It involves sending used/unused sanitary napkins to the officials of Asma Rubber Private Limited in the Kochi, where the strip search was held.

The incident took place on December 10 in the Special Economic Zone in Kochi. After they found a used sanitary napkin in the bathroom, the factory authorities asked two female supervisors to conduct a strip search of women employees aged below 50. According to reports, the state police have registered a case against the two lady supervisors who conducted the search.

The state women's commission has also taken up the case.

The description of the Facebook event page of the Red Alert campaign says, "This is not a singular act. The lack of, let alone hygienic,but minimal sanitation facilities is a grave issue that women face on a daily basis. Several places do not even allow employees to go to the toilet more than twice during their work time...Protest against this inhuman act! Send a napkin (used or unused) to the MD of the company and mark your protest against this inhuman act".

On December 17, two women, who boarded a KSRTC bus with two infants, were asked to leave the bus as it was carrying Sabarimala pilgrims.

The bus conductor who asked the female passengers to get down from the bus justified his action saying presence of women would pollute the sanctity of the vehicle carrying pilgrims. Sabarimala temple doesn't allow women to enter the temple premises.

Oneindia News