There has been an uptick in the last few years in the focus on menstrual health and hygiene (MHH) worldwide. In India, MHH gained its rightful place in the public health discourse when the National Health Mission 2011 promoted a menstrual hygiene scheme among adolescent girls in rural areas. Menstrual hygiene management (MHM) is an integral part of the ‘Swachh Bharat Mission’ guidelines; the Union Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation also issued MHM guidelines for schools in 2015.
How has India addressed menstrual hygiene?
India has continued to do well on this front. The fifth National Family Health Survey (2019-2021) revealed that around 90% of women with 12 or more years of schooling used safe period products (locally prepared napkins, sanitary napkins, tampons, and menstrual cups) in 17 states and Union territories. From the previous round of the survey, 20% more women aged 15-24 years used hygienic methods during menstruation.
