Menstrual hygiene remains a critical yet often overlooked aspect of women’s health and well-being worldwide. The lack of access to adequate menstrual hygiene management not only poses significant health risks but also perpetuates gender disparities and limits socio-economic progress. In India, where cultural taboos and inadequate infrastructure intersect, addressing menstrual hygiene can serve as a potent tool in bridging the gender gap in education and employment.
The National Menstrual Hygiene Policy comes as a groundbreaking initiative in this context. Aimed at addressing the menstrual health needs of women and girls across the country, the policy is expected to promote menstrual hygiene management and break the silence surrounding menstruation.
Furthermore, the policy prioritises the establishment of menstrual hygiene facilities in schools, workplaces and public spaces to ensure that women and girls have access to clean and private facilities for managing their periods with dignity and comfort.
By implementing the National Menstrual Hygiene Policy, India is not only prioritising the health and well-being of its female population but also taking a significant stride towards achieving gender equality and social inclusion.
Close Gender Gap: Impact on Education
Access to menstrual hygiene facilities directly influences girls’ participation in education. In many parts of India, inadequate sanitation infrastructure in schools forces girls to miss days of schooling during menstruation, leading to educational setbacks. The stigma associated with menstruation further exacerbates the issue, leading to embarrassment and shame among girls, hindering their ability to focus on their studies.
Efforts to improve menstrual hygiene in schools have shown promising results in enhancing girls’ attendance and performance. Providing clean and private toilet facilities, access to sanitary products and comprehensive menstrual health education not only ensures hygienic practices but also cultivates an environment of dignity and respect. When girls are empowered with proper menstrual hygiene management, they are more likely to attend school regularly, participate actively in class and achieve better academic outcomes, these engagements close the gender gap in education.
Menstrual Hygiene and Employment
The impact of menstrual hygiene extends beyond the school years into the realm of employment. Inadequate access to menstrual hygiene facilities in workplaces poses significant challenges for women, affecting their productivity, health and overall well-being. Many women, especially in rural areas or informal sectors, lack access to clean toilets, sanitary products and facilities for washing and changing during menstruation. As a result, they may miss work days or underperform, limiting their opportunities for career advancement and economic independence.
Investing in menstrual hygiene in the workplace is not just a matter of health and hygiene but also an economic imperative. Providing women with the necessary resources and support for managing menstruation at work, such as clean and accessible toilets, provision of sanitary products, flexible work hours and menstrual leave policies, can enhance their productivity and job satisfaction. Moreover, destigmatising menstruation in the workplace imbibes an inclusive and gender-sensitive work environment conducive to women’s empowerment and advancement.
Close Gender Gaps in Access and Awareness
Addressing menstrual hygiene is not merely about providing sanitary pads or constructing toilets; it requires a holistic approach encompassing education, awareness and policy interventions. Comprehensive menstrual health education plays a crucial role in dispelling myths, breaking taboos, and promoting positive attitudes towards menstruation. By empowering women and girls with knowledge about their bodies and menstrual cycles, they can make informed choices regarding their health and well-being.
Furthermore, community engagement and advocacy efforts are essential for challenging social norms and advocating for the rights of women and girls to menstrual health and hygiene. Initiatives that involve parents, teachers, community leaders and policymakers in discussions about menstruation can lead to sustainable change by creating a supportive environment for menstrual hygiene management.
Our women empowerment initiative Swabhiman aims at increasing awareness and access to safe menstrual practices through community engagement and one-on-one counseling with adolescent girls and women. These efforts have empowered girls to openly discuss menstruation in school, and at home, marking a significant shift from the past when such discussions were taboo.
This change has had a butterfly effect, with more adolescent girls joining our sessions after being influenced by their peers and friends from the community.
Cascading Change through Peer Educators
A case in point here is Shivani. If you had met Shivani even a year back, you wouldn’t be able to relate her with the person she is today. Quiet and reserved at the beginning, Shivani would feel uncomfortable and shy to even share her own experience at the Swabhiman group meetings. She never thought that people, let alone women, can talk about menstruation so openly. But the first session was also able to make her understand her body better. When she started applying the lessons she learnt from the menstrual hygiene and health awareness sessions, she found her life becoming much easier.
Equipped with knowledge, she started helping her friends in her school classroom who had similar questions on menstrual hygiene and other health issues. Today she is a peer educator in her community and often leads awareness talks and group sessions on menstrual hygiene. Shivani smiles easily and carries an energy that makes one want to get into a conversation with her. She doesn’t even know that she is a change maker; she just thinks that any important knowledge should be passed onto others. Like Shivani, many other adolescent girls and women have gained confidence, self awareness and developed a health seeking behavior.
Way Forward to Close Gender Gap
By working together towards a common goal of promoting menstrual health and gender equality, we can create a future where every woman and girl in India has the opportunity to fulfill her potential, unimpeded by menstrual stigma or inadequate hygiene facilities. Moreover, partnerships between government agencies, non-governmental organisations, civil society groups and private sector entities are essential for leveraging resources, expertise and advocacy networks to scale up initiatives and reach marginalised communities.
Menstrual hygiene has the power to transform the lives of women and girls in India, serving as a catalyst to close gender gap in education and employment. By ensuring access to clean and dignified menstrual hygiene facilities, comprehensive education and supportive policies, we can empower women and girls to break barriers, pursue their dreams and contribute meaningfully to society. Investing in menstrual hygiene is not just a matter of hygiene; it’s an investment in gender equality, human rights and sustainable development for generations to come.
