Sonam Kapoor asks for Rs 400 to buy sanitary napkins

Sonam Kapoor

Close on the heels of the release of Padman that addresses menstrual hygiene, Sonam Kapoor has unveiled a video urging citizens to make affordable monetary contributions to improve the situation of women in rural India. The spoken word piece on Blush channel is a collaboration between Kapoor and Vatsalya Foundation, which works towards the betterment of the less privileged. Kapoor is seen urging people to make a minimum contribution of Rs 400 to the foundation to facilitate a year-round supply of sanitary pads to women in various parts of the country.

Still from the video

Sonam Kapoor tells mid-day, "The average woman has periods for 3,000 days in her life. It affects all women, but is a topic that nobody wants to discuss. We wish to encourage an open discussion on the subject so that menstruation isn't looked down upon."

Highlighting the plight of rural women in their menses, the piece sees Kapoor listing the ways in which temporary sanitary napkins are created. Dry mud, ash and unclean clothes, Kapoor is seen stating in the video, make for alternatives to pads. The practice, she says, can evidently lead to infections. Titled, #AbSamjhautaNahin, it also features Padman co-star Akshay Kumar, who has been propagating the subject since he began working on the venture. Swathi Mukherjee, director of the organisation, says, "Inaccessibility to sanitary pads is among the primary reasons behind girls dropping out of schools."

Catch up on all the latest entertainment news and gossip here.

Download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get updates on all the latest and trending stories on the go