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he first chapter of this report pointed Role of NGOs: India’s social sector needs to
out rural India’s ‘more-than-a-quarter’ act as a link between state-sponsored programmes
problem. This refers to the fact that and their intended beneficiaries. Non-government
Tover 25% of India’s rural population organisations (NGOs) working at the grassroot
still doesn’t practice safe menstrual health & level should step up to ensure no community
hygiene management (MHM). There is clearly a member falls through the cracks. The social
need for greater education about menstruation, sector can contribute towards the intended 100%
particularly among adolescents. The adoption menstrual hygiene goal by identifying beneficiaries
of safe MHM is also hindered by the low access, from susceptible groups such as economically-
availability and affordability of safe MHM backward, illiterate, tribal communities,
products. Thus, joint and concerted efforts by all geographically-remote areas and linking them to
stakeholders is needed to bridge this substantial state-sponsored MHM benefits. The social sector
gap urgently. needs to double up as a representative for these
Need for integrated efforts: Owing to its communities and bargain their rightful place in
inter-disciplinary nature, MHM in India lacks an MHM-related decision-making and policies at the
individual and/or centralised government body state and centre level.
responsible for influencing and implementing Philanthropic activism: Any desired
MHM-related policies, programmes and increase in adoption of safe MHM practices, will
budgeting. Central government ministries, state need to be bolstered with funds and infrastructure
and district-level departments, and regulatory aimed at making menstrual hygiene products
bodies are all equal and important stakeholders accessible and affordable. Close to half of the
in India’s MHM agenda. At the central country’s population will experience menstruation
government level, the stakeholders include the at some point of their lives. Empowering young
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry girls with the right knowledge and access to MHM
of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Ministry of products allow for the short-term gain of increased
Women and Child Development, Ministry of literacy among the women population. Besides,
Rural Development and Ministry of Human there are long-term gains to be made through
Resource Development. creation of gender equity at schools, higher
At the state and district level, the relevant education facilities and later workplaces.
departments include those dealing with the Philanthropists need to pledge long-term
subjects of health, education, women and child commitment of funds to make menstruation
development, water, sanitation and waste safe for this large demographic. Philanthropic
management (SBM), Panchayati Raj and institutions should consider incubating
livelihoods development. It is thus imperative startups, disruptive technologies and small to
that all state programmes map the relevant medium entrepreneurs who focus on affordable
departments by their political will and interest to menstrual hygiene.
work on MHM, as well as by budget allocations Healthy menstruation and menstrual hygiene
and their existing programmes on menstrual management is closely linked to four different
health. Consistent engagement with these SDGs set by the United Nations. A greater focus
departments can allow the programme to on MHM will go a long way towards gender
influence its design and implementation at the empowerment and will have a cascading effect on
state or district level. village-level socio-economic change.
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