Also introduces a women’s hygiene initiative supporting girl child education
Sanchita Chatterjee, BS News Agency: Kolkata, January 29, 2026: Acropolis Mall, one of India’s leading shopping destinations, has launched “SHE Parking”, a dedicated parking zone designed exclusively for women shoppers. The initiative is complemented by a women’s hygiene programme that also contributes to the education of girl children in Kolkata—reinforcing the mall’s commitment to women’s empowerment, safety, and inclusive social development.
Together, these initiatives reflect Acropolis Mall’s focused efforts to create gender-inclusive infrastructure while generating meaningful social impact through improved access to hygiene and education. The initiatives aim to enhance safety, encourage convenience, support girls’ literacy, and help prevent school dropouts.
The initiatives were formally launched by Ms Bidisha Kalita, IPS, Deputy Commissioner of Police, South Suburban Division, Kolkata Police, in the presence of actress Sonalee Chaudhuri. The newly introduced “SHE Parking Zone” features a distinctive pearly purple design, enabling easy identification for women drivers.
Located at the Upper Basement Parking Bay, the SHE Parking Zone is thoughtfully demarcated with purple-coloured zebra crossings to ensure visibility and ease of access. In its initial phase, the zone accommodates 10 two-wheelers and two four-wheelers, with trained personnel deployed to assist women drivers while parking. The facility is expected to expand based on user response.
This initiative underscores Acropolis Mall’s commitment to making everyday experiences safer and more empowering for women—where comfort, care, and convenience converge seamlessly.
In addition, Acropolis Mall has introduced Sanitary Napkin Dispensing Machines under its “Wish Care” programme across women’s washrooms. Implemented in collaboration with Funsmart Knowledge Solutions Foundation, the initiative ensures that every purchase of sanitary napkins contributes directly to girl child education, allowing women and girls to support social change through a modest donation—effectively integrating hygiene with purpose.
The Deputy Commissioner of Police, South Suburban Division, Ms. Bidisha Kalita, said:“I am truly pleased to see that our society is thinking so thoughtfully about women and their safety. I really appreciate this initiative by Acropolis Mall. Keeping women’s hygiene in mind, they have installed sanitary napkin vending machines and disposal bins across the mall, and the proceeds generated from this initiative will be used to support children’s education. I extend my best wishes for the success of this entire initiative.”
“Our SHE Parking initiative enhances safety and convenience for women drivers by offering a secure and well-managed parking experience. We are also in the process of integrating FASTag for seamless, contactless parking payments to further improve customer experience. Given the rising number of women two-wheeler riders, we have prioritised dedicated parking spaces for them. While support systems for women drivers have been in place for some time, today marks the formal launch of this initiative,” said Subhadip Basu, Corporate General Manager – Retail & Hospitality, Merlin Group.
Actress Sonalee Chaudhuri specially applauded the social impact of the femae hygiene initiative where every Five rupee coin spent will be donated to the welfare of girl child's education.
“We are proud to introduce safe sanitary napkin disposal systems across the entire Acropolis facility, including office common washrooms—a first for any mall in eastern India. Implemented as per WHO standards, the system ensures hygienic decomposition of used napkins, with bins replaced every 30 days using fresh bacterial cultures. This initiative is supported by Funsmart Foundation, which bridges the CSR objectives of Wish Care with effective on-ground implementation. We also provide essential facilities for senior citizens, including wheelchairs when required,” said Sib S Shaw, General Manager – Operations, Acropolis Mall.
Through these initiatives, Acropolis Mall continues to strengthen its position as a socially responsible destination that prioritises the well-being of women shoppers while creating lasting impact for the girl child. The mall has previously introduced enhanced fire-safety measures near parking areas and follows green building practices, particularly in sanitation. From infrastructure innovation to gender-inclusive facilities, Acropolis Mall remains committed to elevating the experience of every visitor.
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