The Madhya Pradesh government, under the leadership of Mohan Yadav, has introduced the 'Sanitation and Hygiene Scheme' to promote menstrual hygiene among schoolgirls. This initiative provides a cash grant of Rs 300 per year to girls enrolled in classes 7 to 12 in government schools, enabling them to purchase sanitary napkins. Through direct bank transfers, the scheme is set to benefit approximately 1.9 million girls across the state, with a total of Rs 57.18 crore already disbursed to beneficiaries. This proactive move underscores the government's commitment to improving menstrual health and hygiene for young girls, ensuring they have the necessary resources to manage their periods with dignity.

In a heart-wrenching incident, an 18-year-old girl from Pulivalam, near Musiri taluk in Trichy, tragically lost her life after consuming excessive medication to relieve severe menstrual cramps. The incident, which took place on August 21, highlights the dangers of unsupervised self-medication. After experiencing intense pain, the girl took multiple pills, leading to severe complications, including vomiting. Despite receiving initial treatment at a local primary health center, she unfortunately passed away. This case underscores the critical need for awareness about safe menstrual health practices and the risks associated with over-the-counter medications.

In a landmark move, Odisha has announced a one-day menstrual leave policy for women employees in both public and private sectors, becoming the third state in India to do so, following Kerala and Bihar. The announcement was made by Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida during the Independence Day celebrations in Cuttack. This new policy allows women to take a leave on either the first or second day of their menstrual cycle. The decision, widely praised by rights activists and women employees, reflects the Odisha government's commitment to supporting women's health and rights in the workplace. Detailed guidelines for implementing this policy will soon be released by the state's Women and Child Development Department.

Indian weight lifter Mirabai Chanu, who finished fourth in the women’s 49 kg event at the Paris Olympics, admitted that she was not in her best form because she was on the third day of her periods. What many forget is that menstruation-related conditions can affect a woman athlete just as they do ordinary women. Contrary to what commentators are saying, a hormone regulatory pill to manipulate periods before the event may always not be the answer because that has its adverse effects and can even decrease performance. What goes inside an athlete’s body when she is on her periods? Our experts explain:

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has stepped in after reports surfaced of menstruation women and new mothers being confined to secluded huts in rural Karnataka. This move was sparked by a media story about the circumstances of a 19-year-old new mother in Tumakuru. The woman was sent to a hut with no basic amenities, in accordance with local tradition, which requires menstruation women and new moms to dwell in separate huts. The NHRC has issued a notice to Karnataka's Chief Secretary, asking for a detailed report within four weeks. The report should include information on the prevalence of such behaviors, as well as the government's efforts to address the issue. The NHRC further ordered the government to perform rigorous inspections and eliminate this barbaric practice, known locally as 'Gaokor' or 'Kurma.' This move followed a similar instance in 2013 involving Scheduled Tribe women in Maharashtra, in which the state government pledged to end the practice. The recent notification from the NHRC emphasizes the importance of taking immediate and effective action to protect the human rights of women who have been subjected to such humiliating behaviors.

Menstrual hygiene products, notably disposable sanitary pads, have significantly improved the lives of millions of women in India, providing protection against infections and eliminating the discomfort of older techniques such as cloth or leaves. However, these gains come at a high environmental cost. Every year, India discards about 12 billion sanitary napkins, the most of which are not biodegradable. These items, which are primarily produced from polypropylene and superabsorbent polymer powder, accumulate in landfills, clog sewer systems, and pollute water bodies and fields. Once discarded, a sanitary pad has a long-term impact on the environment. In landfills, these pads do not degrade, resulting in long-term contamination and resource depletion. The synthetic components used in these items can be harmful to wildlife and disturb natural ecosystems.On World Menstrual Hygiene Day, celebrated annually on May 28, it is crucial to recognize the ecological footprint of sanitary pads and explore sustainable alternatives. To address this pressing issue, there is a need for increased awareness about eco-friendly menstrual products such as biodegradable pads, menstrual cups, and reusable cloth pads. Encouraging the use of these alternatives can significantly reduce the environmental burden. Additionally, implementing proper disposal and waste management systems for menstrual products can mitigate their ecological impact.