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(MHM) has long been hindered by cultural beliefs have contributed to the increased usage of
and infrastructural challenges. These barriers sanitary pads, such as the free or subsidised
don’t just compromise women’s health and their distribution of sanitary pads through government
access to a better life and opportunities; they also schools (under the erstwhile Rashtriya Kishor
have a larger socio-economic impact on families Swasthya Karyakram of the Ministry of Health
and communities (see Box 1). and Family Welfare) and state sponsored schemes
The onset of puberty marks the invisible for distribution of sanitary pads. The increase in
line where the girl child is treated differently by rural sanitary pad usage may also be attributed
society. Gender disparities start becoming acute to better market availability – through smaller
post menarche. Adolescent girls start to face companies either manufacturing their own
restrictions in terms of their mobility and agency. products or importing low-cost products and
Women in India continue to experience challenges making distribution inroads into tier-2 and tier-3
in managing their menses – triggered by flawed towns and rural areas.
understanding of human biology and lack of However, there is a long way to go. More
conversations around periods. Social factors such social behaviour change is required to move
as access to sanitary products, safe disposal, toilets the needle on menstrual health, especially as
and privacy hinder menstrual health. it pertains to reproductive health and gender
The heart of the matter is that any discussion empowerment.
towards empowerment of women in India needs
to consider the social tensions around menstrual A sizeAble probleM
health and its impact on agency. As suggested in the Menstrual Health in India
There are a few positive signs. The last decade Landscape Analysis report by FSG in 2016, more
witnessed a steady rise in the adoption of MHM than 88 percent of women in India use home-made
in India. Government and non-governmental products to manage menstruation (see Box 2).
institutions have intensified efforts to address In the absence of menstrual hygiene awareness,
MHM in schools and communities. Government these methods may expose women to health risks.
efforts in particular have resulted in greater Further, National Family Health Survey-5
availability of disposable sanitary pads through data suggests that over a quarter of India’s rural
schools and Accredited Social Health Activists female population in the age group of 15-24 years
(commonly known as ASHAs) and Anganwadi does not use hygienic methods of MHM. This
workers (AWWs). Many complementary factors indicates a large population at risk.
MHM and socio-economic MHM in india: Key stats
wellbeing Approximately 88% of women in India use homemade
products (such as old cloth or rags) to manage their
Healthy menstruation and menstrual menstruation.
hygiene management is intimately 71% of girls in India report having no knowledge of
linked with several UNDP Sustainable menstruation before their first period.
Development Goals (SDGs), including: 70% of women in India say their family cannot afford
to buy sanitary pads.
40% of all government schools lacked a functioning
1 2 common toilet, another 40% lacked a separate toilet
for girls.
Source: Menstrual Health in India | Landscape Analysis,
a report by global non-profit FSG, in 2016
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