Website under Maintenance. We regret any data inaccuracies. Thank you for your patience.
Around 500 million women across the world do not have access to private spaces and menstrual products that would enable them to manage their periods in a dignified way. In many regions across the world, this challenge is further aggravated by silence, restrictive sociocultural norms, and taboos around menstruation. India is no exception to this and still needs to address poor MHHM practices despite government and non-government interventions having increased. While there has been a visible improvement in the Indian context, there are still many challenges that need urgent redressal.
Approximately 500 million women worldwide lack access to private spaces and menstrual products, hindering their ability to manage periods with dignity. Many women in India face this challenge, resulting in unhygienic practices and discomfort during menstruation.
Teachers often skip or inadequately cover the topic of menstruation in classrooms, leaving students, regardless of gender, uninformed. The lack of knowledge about menstrual hygiene management can lead to myths, misconceptions, and stigmatization surrounding menstruation leading to unhygienic practices and an increased risk of reproductive tract infections.
Most adolescents rely on conflicting sources for information on menstrual health, leading to misconceptions and improper practices. Conveying accurate and factual information during pre-adolescence is crucial to ensure proper understanding and healthy menstrual habits.
Menstrual hygiene and health management (MHHM) remain a subject of low priority in many schools, resulting in inadequate facilities and insufficient education.
Health workers require practical guidelines and adequate funding for menstrual health outreach programs to effectively address the needs of women and girls.
Schools need to prioritize upgrading their sanitation facilities to provide girls with safe, private, and hygienic spaces to manage their periods comfortably.
Deep-rooted social taboos and misconceptions surrounding menstruation persist in communities, leading to stigma, shame, and limited discussions on menstrual health.
While there are government schemes for reproductive health, menstruation is yet to be prioritized adequately, leading to limited access to menstrual products and education.
People with limited resources often struggle to access good quality sanitary products, even when free or subsidized options are provided by government schemes.
The lack of access to proper hygiene products and facilities contributes to reproductive morbidities among women, emphasizing the urgent need for comprehensive menstrual health support.
Mothers, as primary sources of information for adolescent girls, often perpetuate traditional taboos surrounding menstruation, inhibiting open dialogue and accurate education.
Menstruation-related ignorance among men perpetuates gender discrimination, neglect, and a lack of empathy toward women's menstrual health needs. MHHM education requires a gender-inclusive approach, involving schools, curricula, and parents to effectively reach the target population and promote healthy menstrual practices.
Patriarchal values and gender norms contribute to adverse social and physical issues such as gender-based violence, fear, shame, and period poverty among women and girls.
Period bullying resulting from social stigma leads to significant absenteeism among girls, impacting their education and overall well-being.
Improper disposal of used menstrual products poses major health hazards, highlighting the need for education and accessible disposal methods to ensure hygiene and safety.
