Sanitary napkins to be distributed for free in Boi Mela, says Bangla Academy after backlash
Amid criticism of PRAN-RFL pulling its women's health and hygiene product display at the Ekushey Boi Mela, its organiser Bangla Academy has announced that sanitary napkins will continue to be distributed at the event free of charge near the washrooms.
In a statement this evening, the authorities said, "We want to make it clear that Bangla Academy has no hesitation regarding the promotion and use of sanitary napkins."
Mohammad Azam, director general of the Bangla Academy, verified the statement to The Business Standard over the phone.
Earlier on the day, the PRAN-RFL Group announced the withdrawal of displaying women's health and hygiene products at the Ekushey Boi Mela to "honour religious sentiments".
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In this regard, the academy's statement reads, "An issue related to the sale of sanitary napkins at the fair has attracted widespread attention. Many people have expressed their angry reactions to us via social media and phone calls. In light of this, it has become necessary to provide detailed information on the matter."
The commercialisation of the book fair has become a sensitive issue and has been presented in a different light, it said, adding, "This is evident as we have taken similar actions regarding many other products.
"At the same time, we have told the event management company to distribute sanitary napkins as a courtesy when needed. It is noteworthy that in previous years, such essential items have been distributed as a courtesy at the book fair.
"In light of the current situation, we express our regret. We assure that the event will continue to provide necessary sanitary napkins free of charge near the washrooms," said the academy.
The decision to withdraw displaying women's health and hygiene products has met with widespread criticism on social media where netizens bashed the book fair authorities as considering sanitary napkins a taboo in the public eye.
Among many, one Facebook user posted a status saying, "In this man's world, this country is on a whole different level. You go somewhere, and there is no proper washroom, no basic sense of privacy….Among these countless issues, having a sanitary napkin stall at the boimela is the bare minimum you can offer us. And yet, after providing it, you take it away under pressure. This is disrespectful to all the women at the fair—writers, publishers, and readers alike. It is a direct insult from the book fair authorities, and I take it personally."
'Event management company failed to honour their commitments'
"Although Bangla Academy is the organiser, the necessary work for the book fair is carried out by the event management company. This year, Dream Donkey Private Limited has taken on this responsibility. The event management company works with the support of sponsors. However, they must follow the fair's policies while performing their duties. In the process of selecting sponsors, the event management company has violated several policies regarding the number and type of sponsors. One of the violations is the unapproved selling of products in various areas of the fair. We have been opposing this from the beginning, but they have violated the rules for various reasons," the academy statement further said.
Regarding sanitary napkins and diapers, the academy said they were informed that these products would be provided free of charge to women and children as needed, placed near the washrooms.
"However, the fair authorities observed that they were selling these products along with others. As a result, they were asked to shut down their stall. This action was not only taken for sanitary napkins but also for diapers, toothpaste, and brushes, among other products."
"Despite repeated promises, the event management company failed to honour their commitments," said Bangla Academy.
For three days, we temporarily closed two of the stalls on our own initiative. At their request, we allowed some children's products like paper, pencils, and pens to be sold in the children's corner of the book fair," the statement added.
In this situation, the event company stated that they were in a difficult position as they had already made a contract with the sponsor company, it said, adding, it is important to note that Bangla Academy has no involvement in these contracts.
"They mentioned that they would send a letter to the sponsor company, stating that there would be issues if sanitary napkins were sold. To make their task easier, the Director-General of Bangla Academy only signed the letter in agreement. Bangla Academy did not issue this letter, nor did anyone mention anything about stopping the sale of sanitary napkins.
"While we have discussed many products, the issue of sanitary napkins has been singled out by the event organisers, sponsors, and other parties," the statement said.
