The annual global advocacy day, World Menstrual Hygiene Day, also known as Menstrual Hygiene Day, is celebrated on May 28th. Initiated by the Germany-based NGO WASH United in 2013, it aims to promote good menstrual hygiene management (MHM) practices across the globe. The significance of the 28th day of the fifth month represents the average length of a menstrual cycle, which is typically around 28 days, and the average duration of menstruation which lasts for about five days each month. The theme for 2023 is “Making menstruation a normal fact of life by 2030”. This day serves as a reminder that menstrual hygiene is vital for the wellbeing and dignity of individuals who menstruate.
Findings from CRY’s Study on Menstrual Awareness and Hygiene
Recently, Child Rights and You (CRY), an NGO, released findings of a study conducted to assess awareness and knowledge of menstrual hygiene and health among adolescent girls in India. It involved nearly 4000 girls aged between 10 and 17 years from 38 districts over two months and delved into the perceptions, practices, and challenges faced by young girls concerning menstruation. Out of these, close to 12% believed menstruation to be a curse from God or an illness. Around 4.6% of the girls had no knowledge of the cause of menstruation, although 84% correctly identified it as a biological process. The study also revealed that 61.4% of the girls were aware of societal embarrassment related to periods.
Challenges Faced by Young Girls Regarding Menstruation
Indian girls face numerous challenges when it comes to menstruation, including lack of knowledge, social stigma, limited access to sanitary products, and financial constraints. The study showed that 44.5% of the girls used homemade absorbents or cloth instead of sanitary pads due to hesitation, difficulty in disposing of pads, inadequate supply, and lack of knowledge about sanitary pads. Many girls also have to deal with inadequate sanitation facilities, lack of privacy for personal hygiene, and unequal access to menstrual health education.
India’s Initiatives for Promoting Menstrual Hygiene
To promote menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls, especially those in rural areas, the Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched the Menstrual Hygiene Scheme in 2011. Notable progress includes the 2015 Swachh Bharat guidelines that included MHM in schools such as providing sanitary pads, vending and disposal mechanisms, and exclusive washrooms for female students. The Department of Pharmaceuticals under Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers also implemented the Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janausadhi Pariyojna (PMBJP), which set up over 8700 Janaushidhi Kendras across the country providing Oxo-biodegradable sanitary napkins named Suvidha at Rs. 1/- per pad only. The Supreme Court of India called for a uniform national policy in 2022 prioritising menstrual hygiene in schools. Further, various states have launched their own schemes to distribute subsidized or free sanitary napkins to adolescent girls.
Way Forward: Comprehensive Menstrual Health Education
Looking ahead, there is a need to implement comprehensive menstrual health education that includes engaging workshops in schools. This can help to educate girls about menstrual hygiene, debunk myths, and promote positive attitudes. Incorporating menstrual health education into the curriculum can facilitate better understanding of menstrual cycles, hygiene practices, and emotional wellbeing among students.
Accessible and Affordable Menstrual Products
There is also a need to advocate for subsidies or free distribution of sanitary pads in schools, community centres, and public spaces to ensure accessibility for all girls. Innovative solutions such as reusable menstrual products can also be encouraged to address affordability and environmental concerns.
Improved Sanitation Facilities and Engagement of Male Allies
Improving sanitation facilities, like installing sanitary pad vending machines in public spaces, can provide easy access to menstrual products. In addition, engaging male allies through workshops and awareness programs can foster empathy and understanding about menstruation, reducing stigma and fostering supportive attitudes. Sports and physical activities should also be promoted as means to alleviate menstrual discomfort, breaking the stereotype that menstruation restricts girls’ participation.
