Year
2026
Reform Domain
Sub Domain
Education and Human Resource Development
Source of Reform Proposals
Election Manifesto of Bangladesh Nationalist Party - BNP
Stage of Implementation
Reform Proposed
Last Update: 10-Sep-26
This pledge is included in the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s election manifesto for Bangladesh’s 13th national election. The manifesto states that "Efforts will be made to set up sufficient common rooms and special vending machines with menstrual/health-hygiene supplies for female students in educational institutions.”
Reform Initiated
Last Update: 18-Oct-26
The FY2026–27 Gender Budget Report incorporated the installation of menstrual-health and hygiene vending machines in educational institutions into the government’s proposed actions. It identified the Secondary and Higher Education Division (SHED) as the lead agency for the education-related component, with several other ministries and divisions listed as associated bodies.
Observation
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Related implementation has expanded at the local level. Vending machines have been reported in educational institutions in Lakshmipur, Narayanganj Sadar2, Bagha3, Dhanbari4, Hatibandha5, Brahmanbaria6, Bahubal7, Rohanpur8, Gafargaon9 and Purbadhala10. In August 2026, Fresh Anonna, a brand of Meghna Group of Industries, also reported installing sanitary napkin vending machines in seven madrasahs alongside menstrual-hygiene awareness activities.11 However, this was a private-sector initiative and was not presented as part of the government's manifesto implementation programme.
These developments show that female students in selected institutions are receiving menstrual-hygiene support, but they have not been linked to a centrally coordinated programme for implementing the BNP manifesto pledge. dedicated national programme for establishing common rooms in educational institutions is yet to be started.