World Menstrual Hygiene Day

• 29 May 2023

For Prelims: World Menstrual Hygiene Day, Government schemes to promote menstrual hygiene, Menstruation

For Mains: Issues Related to Women, comprehensive menstrual health education, India's initiatives and policies for menstrual hygiene

Why in News?

Recently, on the occasion of World Menstrual Hygiene Day, Child Rights and You (CRY) an NGO released the findings of a study conducted to assess the awareness and knowledge of menstrual hygiene and health among adolescent girls in India.

• The study conducted for two months with the participation of nearly 4,000 girls aged 10-17 years from 38 districts across the country, sheds light on the perceptions, practices, and challenges faced by young girls regarding menstruation.

What is World Menstrual Hygiene Day?

• About:
  • World Menstrual Hygiene Day, also known as Menstrual Hygiene Day, is an annual global advocacy day celebrated on May 28^th.
  • The day aims to raise awareness and promote good menstrual hygiene management (MHM) practices worldwide.
• Reason for May 28^th:
  • Menstrual Hygiene Day is observed on the 28th day of the fifth month.
    • Represents the average length of the menstrual cycle, which is often around 28 days.
    • Symbolizes the average duration of menstruation, which lasts around five days each month.
• History:
  • Started in 2013 by Germany-based NGO WASH United.
  • Initially launched as a 28-day social media campaign to raise awareness about menstruation.
  • Positive response led to the establishment of Menstrual Hygiene Day on May 28, 2014.
• Theme:
  • Theme for 2023: "Making menstruation a normal fact of life by 2030."
• Significance:
  • Highlights the importance of menstrual hygiene for the well-being and dignity of individuals who menstruate.
  • Promotes proper menstrual hygiene practices:
    • Using clean and safe menstrual products.
    • Maintaining personal hygiene during menstruation.
    • Managing menstrual discomfort effectively.
  • Advocates for improved access to menstrual products, particularly in low-income communities.
  • Encourages knowledge acquisition about bodies, menstrual cycles, and reproductive health.

What are the Key Findings from the Study?

• Close to 12% of young girls believed menstruation is a curse from God or caused by disease.
• 4.6% of the girls had no knowledge about the cause of menstruation.
• 84% of the girls correctly identified menstruation as a biological process.
• 61.4% of the girls acknowledged the existence of societal embarrassment related to periods.
• 44.5% of the girls used homemade absorbents or cloth instead of sanitary pads.
  • Hesitation or shyness, difficulty in disposing of pads, poor availability, and lack of knowledge were reasons for not using sanitary pads.
• The girls received information about menstruation from their mothers, female friends and elder sisters.

What are the Challenges Faced by Young Girls Regarding Menstruation?

• Lack of knowledge and awareness about menstruation.
• Social stigma and taboos surrounding menstruation.
• Limited access to sanitary products and proper menstrual hygiene resources.
• Financial constraints to afford sanitary pads or other menstrual products.
• Inadequate sanitation facilities, especially in schools and public places.
• Lack of privacy and suitable disposal methods for used sanitary products.
• Unequal access to menstrual health education and support.
• Peer pressure and embarrassment related to discussing menstruation.
• Absence of open dialogue and support from family members and community.
• Disruption of daily activities and restrictions on participation due to menstrual discomfort or pain.

What are India’s Initiatives for Menstrual Hygiene?

• The Menstrual Hygiene Scheme, launched in 2011 by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, aims to promote menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls in rural areas.
• Swachh Bharat guidelines in 2015 included menstrual hygiene management (MHM) in schools, providing sanitary pads, vending, and disposal mechanisms, and exclusive washrooms for girl students.
  • MHM was released by the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation.
• Department of Pharmaceuticals under Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers implements the Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janausadhi Pariyojna (PMBJP), an important step in ensuring the health security for women.
  • Under the project, over 8700 Janaushidhi Kendras have been set up across the country that provides Oxo-biodegradable sanitary napkins named Suvidha at Rs. 1/- per pad only.
• Supreme Court of India called for a uniform national policy in 2022 to ensure menstrual hygiene in schools, aiming to provide sanitary pads, vending and disposal mechanisms, and exclusive washrooms for girl students.
• Various states have their own schemes to distribute subsidised or free sanitary napkins to adolescent girls, such as Asmita Yojana (Maharashtra), Udaan (Rajasthan), Swechcha (Andhra Pradesh), She Pad (Kerala), and Khusi (Odisha).
• Kerala and Karnataka governments have been distributing menstrual cups as a sustainable alternative to sanitary napkins.

Way Forward

• Comprehensive Menstrual Health Education:
  • Implement engaging and interactive workshops in schools to educate girls about menstrual hygiene, debunk myths, and promote positive attitudes.
  • Incorporate menstrual health education into the curriculum, covering topics like menstrual cycles, hygiene practices, and emotional well-being.
• Accessible and Affordable Menstrual Products:
  • Advocate for subsidies or free distribution of sanitary pads in schools, community centers, and public spaces to ensure accessibility for all girls.
  • Encourage innovative solutions such as reusable menstrual products or eco-friendly alternatives to address affordability and environmental concerns.
• Sanitation Facilities:
  • Raise funds or seek partnerships to install sanitary pad vending machines or dispensers in public spaces for easy access to menstrual products.
• Engaging Male Allies:
  • Conduct workshops and awareness programs for boys and men to foster empathy and understanding about menstruation, reducing stigma and promoting supportive attitudes.
• Sports and Physical Activities:
  • Promote physical activities, sports, and yoga as means to alleviate menstrual discomfort and improve overall well-being, breaking the stereotype that menstruation restricts girls' participation.

Source: TH