Think about Priya, a vibrant 13-year-old in a village nestled miles from the closest city. Her first interval arrives not with understanding or assist, however with hushed warnings and a palpable sense of disgrace, handed down by means of generations. Given a tough, insufficient piece of material, she’s quietly instructed to keep away from the kitchen, chorus from touching the shared water pot, and crucially, keep house from faculty throughout these 5 days every month. The college’s fundamental bathroom lacks water, privateness, and disposal amenities, making managing her interval there an unthinkable ordeal. Afraid of leaks, whispers, and breaking unstated guidelines, Priya isolates herself, her training disrupted, her potential dimmed with every recurring cycle.
Priya’s story, sadly, is just not distinctive. It echoes the lived expertise of numerous women and girls throughout India, notably in rural areas. As Menstrual Hygiene Day noticed on Could 28 prompts reflection, it’s essential to acknowledge that whereas consciousness round menstruation is rising in India, it stays largely absent from the mainstream political agenda and public discourse. Menstrual well being is commonly relegated as a “ladies’s concern,” shrouded in a pervasive tradition of silence and colored by patriarchal notions that restrict information and open dialog. This silence interprets right into a power well being and social problem, the place many lack adequate information, entry to essential merchandise, and face stigma, impacting their well-being and participation in society. Whereas efforts to distribute sanitary pads are seen and typically characteristic in authorities schemes, we should recognise that true entry calls for a basic shift past merchandise in direction of systemic coverage change and strong infrastructure.
A posh actuality
Focusing solely on interval product distribution dangerously simplifies this complicated actuality. Whereas commendable progress has been made, with Nationwide Household Well being Survey-5 information indicating that round 78% of individuals who menstruate in India could use industrial interval merchandise, this statistic masks a deeper infrastructural hole. The determine plummets dramatically once we think about those that have entry to each merchandise and important water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) amenities – clear, personal bogs with water and cleaning soap. Shockingly, solely about 27.7% benefit from this comprehensive access. This stark distinction highlights a important level: distributing pads achieves little real progress in direction of dignified menstrual well being if people lack the fundamental infrastructure wanted to handle their durations hygienically and privately, notably in faculties and public areas. This lack of important WASH amenities stays a persistent barrier, typically highlighted throughout crises that disrupt regular life.
The present political panorama exhibits some commendable, albeit restricted, steps. Numerous Central and State authorities schemes, reminiscent of these underneath the Nationwide Well being Mission or State-specific initiatives like ‘Asmita Yojana‘ in Maharashtra or ‘Swechcha‘ in Andhra Pradesh, goal to supply subsidised or free sanitary napkins, primarily concentrating on adolescent women in faculties. Whereas worthwhile, these initiatives typically face limitations. Their focus ceaselessly excludes ladies outdoors the varsity system, these within the workforce, or different susceptible teams. Moreover, distribution will be hampered by external factors like faculty closures, and the main target typically stays narrowly on disposable pads, with out adequately increasing information on numerous, sustainable choices like menstrual cups (regardless of pioneering efforts in States like Kerala and Karnataka) or addressing the essential want for secure disposal and the environmental affect of sanitary pads. This lack of robust, constant political backing, typically stemming from the underrepresentation of girls and their allies in decision-making areas, means menstrual well being stays a comparatively uncared for public well being concern, inclined to coverage oversights like preliminary exclusion from important gadgets lists throughout emergencies or debates round taxation.
Integration into nationwide coverage framework
Due to this fact, constructing a really stigma-free, inclusive menstrual well being infrastructure calls for its integration into the core of our nationwide coverage framework. This implies legislating for necessary, complete, and scientifically correct menstrual well being training inside faculty curricula for all college students, treating it not simply as biology however as important for fairness and empowerment. It requires prioritising and funding nationwide requirements for MHM-friendly WASH amenities in all public establishments – viewing this as important infrastructure important for public well being, training continuity, and enabling of full financial participation. Well being coverage have to be reformed to coach healthcare suppliers for delicate care, combine MHM screening and remedy into major healthcare, guarantee insurance coverage protection, and use inclusive language for all who menstruate. Honest fiscal insurance policies, reminiscent of eliminating discriminatory taxes on important menstrual merchandise and exploring focused subsidies, are wanted to make sure affordability is just not a barrier to dignity. Coverage levers ought to encourage supportive office environments with satisfactory amenities and understanding for menstrual well being wants, recognising its affect on labour drive participation.
Crucially, these complete interventions have to be framed not as an expenditure, however as a strategic political and financial investment. Making certain financial viability requires shifting past siloed tasks. Funding for MHM must be built-in into current budgets for Well being, Training, WASH, Gender Equality, and Rural/City Improvement, leveraging current political and administrative buildings. Good fiscal instruments like tax reform and focused subsidies supply cost-effective methods to enhance entry. Supporting native social enterprises producing inexpensive, sustainable menstrual merchandise can increase native economies, create jobs, and scale back import dependency, aligning with nationwide growth targets. Most significantly, policymakers should recognise and champion the numerous return on funding: improved academic attainment, elevated workforce participation, higher public well being outcomes, and accelerated gender equality far outweigh the prices. The financial and social value of inaction – perpetuated by silence and coverage neglect – actively undermines India’s broader growth goals.
This Menstrual Hygiene Day, the decision have to be for decisive political motion. We want political leaders and events to champion menstrual well being not as a marginal concern, however as basic to human rights, public well being, and nationwide progress. It requires integrating MHM robustly into nationwide growth plans, legislative agendas, and useful resource allocation. Whereas the efforts of NGOs and native champions are important, sustainable change at scale hinges on political will. It’s time to break the silence in our coverage chambers and construct an India the place everybody can handle their menstruation with dignity, security, and knowledgeable selection – unlocking the total potential of half our inhabitants.
(Karan Babbar is an incoming assistant professor at Plaksha College. Electronic mail: phd17karanb@iima.ac.in)
Printed – Could 31, 2025 12:00 pm IST
