RFID and GSM based automatic dispensing and monitoring of sanitary napkin vending machine for menstrual hygiene among women

Abstract

The availability of Sanitary napkin pads is very much essential for the menstrual health of women in India. The cultural taboos associated with the menstrual health as well as the cost of the pads prevent are forcing many women to adapt to home-made clothe pads which are unhygienic and uncomfortable. Research has been going on in the manufacturing of low cost sanitary pads. The timely availability is more important than the cost of the napkins. In schools and colleges or in public places like railway stations, airports, bus stations while travelling people might find it difficult to find the stores or shops selling the napkins. Hence it is necessary to have a vending machine for easy access and availability at all times. The drawback of the system is that once the stocks are used up there is a time lag before the refilling of the stock. This can be solved by having a vending machine which accepts non cash transactions as well as that can inform the maintenance people the stock position. This helps in timely replenishment of the stocks to ensure round the clock availability.