The government of Sikkim has made a groundbreaking decision by establishing the Bahini scheme, which involves installing vending machines to dispense free sanitary pads. This initiative targets all girls studying in grades 9-12, making it the first time a state government in India has taken such comprehensive action.
Bahini’s primary objective is to provide secondary and senior secondary school girls 100% access to free and safe sanitary pads. The scheme responds to the need to decrease the number of girls dropping out of schools and increase awareness concerning menstrual hygiene. This innovative initiative builds upon an experiment conducted by the state government in 2018, where they partnered with Sulabh International to install vending machines in select schools.
Current State of Menstrual Health in India
Data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4) 2015-16 shows that there are over 355 million menstruating women in India. However, only 36% reportedly use sanitary napkins, whether locally or commercially produced. Notwithstanding these statistics, the use of menstrual products across the country has significantly improved, particularly in regions such as Daman and Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, West Bengal, and Bihar, according to the recently released NFHS-5. Yet, menstrual health remains sidelined in India, riddled with taboos, misinformation, stigma, and poor access to sanitation facilities and menstrual products.
Issues Related to Menstrual Health in India
Several societal factors hinder menstrual health management in India. Women experience restrictions during their menstrual cycle, infringing on their rights to health, equality, and privacy. Many are isolated, barred from religious places or kitchens, and even prevented from attending school or playing outdoors.
A Ministry of Women and Child Development survey (2018-19) revealed that over a quarter of girls enrolled in grades VI-VIII drop out of school upon reaching puberty. Furthermore, the challenge of menstruation is amplified for young girls due to intermittent access to education on menstrual health and puberty.
Employers’ attitudes also contribute to the issue, often viewing menstruating women as inefficient—leading to a decrease in workforce participation.
Government Initiatives for Menstrual Hygiene Management
The central government introduced national guidelines on menstrual hygiene management in 2015. Two major initiatives, the Menstrual Hygiene Scheme (2011) and Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (2014), aim to improve menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls aged 10 to 19. The Suvidha initiative allowed the government to distribute over 5 crore brand sanitary pads at INR 1 from 6,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras.
State governments have also taken action, with many implementing programs to distribute sanitary pads in schools. For example, Bihar provides Rs 300 under the Kishori Swasthya Yojana to adolescent girls to buy sanitary pads.
Moving Forward with Menstrual Health Management
The community-based approach appears to be key in addressing menstrual health issues. By engaging local influencers and decision-makers, misapprehensions can be dispelled and more significant progress achieved. Public-private collaborations bring additional potential for driving campaigns and increasing access to affordable menstrual hygiene products. The installation of sanitary pad vending machines in public places, workplaces, schools, colleges, and childcare centers could make a substantial difference, especially in rural areas.
It’s worth noting that menstrual health is not only a women’s issue; it is a human rights matter. Emphasizing this perspective may stimulate more comprehensive, integrated strategies that address the complexities and stigma surrounding menstruation.