The Analysis’ Post

Menstrual hygiene in rural India faces significant challenges, which have a profound impact on the health, education, and well-being of women and girls. A substantial proportion of women in rural India lack access to affordable and hygienic #MenstrualProducts. Many rely on homemade alternatives like rags, ash, or leaves, which can be unsafe and uncomfortable. There is a significant gap in #MenstrualHygieneEducation. A study by the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) indicated that about 71% of young women in India are not aware of menstruation until they experience their first period. This lack of awareness is more pronounced in rural areas. Menstruation is a leading cause of absenteeism among schoolgirls in rural India. Studies show that 20% of girls drop out of school completely after reaching puberty. This is often due to inadequate menstrual hygiene management facilities at schools, including lack of private spaces, water, and disposal mechanisms for sanitary products. Poor menstrual hygiene practices can lead to serious health problems, including reproductive and urinary tract infections. In rural areas, these risks are compounded by limited access to healthcare services and poor infrastructure. Menstruation is often surrounded by #culturalTaboos and stigma in rural India. Women and girls are frequently subjected to restrictions, such as being prohibited from participating in normal activities, which reinforces gender inequality and affects their self-esteem and #MentalHealth. Join us for #PledgeYourPeriod campaign - to normalize the conversation around menstrual health, mobilize resources for awareness and access to hygienic products, and advocate for an enabling environment where girls and women can manage their periods safely, hygienically and with dignity. A healthier future for all begins with stronger voices for menstrual health today. #PledgeYourPeriod #menstruationmatters #menstrualhealth #women #menstrualhygiene #endperiodpoverty Desai Foundation

"Swabhiman Project" by Tresna tackles a critical issue faced by countless women, limited access to sanitary pads and proper hygiene education. This initiative goes beyond simply providing essential resources but relies on a holistic outlook. A significant factor contributing to high school dropout rates, especially among girls is the lack of adequate sanitation facilities. This issue is particularly concerning for young women who lack awareness about menstruation often relying on fragmented information from advertisements. Furthermore, among older women a worrying knowledge gap exists regarding menopause and the importance of consulting a gynecologist during this crucial phase. In rural communities, menstruation remains a taboo subject, rarely discussed openly at home. They face the challenge of navigating their periods without guidance. The project goes beyond individual health. Recognizing the multi-faceted nature of this issue, the project incorporates a multi-sectoral approach. Menstrual health is not solely a health concern; it's interwoven with economic and social inequalities. Swabhiman addresses these interconnected issues, aiming for inclusive and sustainable solutions. We understand the transformative power of education in empowering women to manage their menstrual health with confidence and dignity. Swabhiman Project actively dismantles the stigma and fear surrounding menstrual health and hygiene. Through educational workshops and awareness campaigns, we strive to cultivate a more informed and inclusive environment. By equipping women with the knowledge and resources they deserve. Tresna Foundation believes that every woman has the right to live a life free from shame and limitations due to menstruation. Together, let's uplift menstrual health as a fundamental human right. By supporting Swabhiman, you contribute to empowering women and girls, enabling them to thrive and reach their full potential. . . . #RangoliatTresna #Beingthechange #growingwithtresna (Tresna - Rangoli Bakshi - NGO - founder - ceo - director - ahmedabad - india - gujarat - non proft - organisation - foundation - team - family - lives )

Imagine missing school every month simply because of your period. This reality is driving crucial policy changes in India—and it's a conversation we need to have everywhere. I’ve seen firsthand how menstruation—an experience shared by women worldwide—continues to be surrounded by stigma. From puberty to menopause, we navigate not only the physical and emotional challenges of menstruation but also the societal taboos that often silence important conversations. Normalising these discussions is the first step toward meaningful change, and I’m encouraged to see that one such conversation has reached the Supreme Court of India. The country is on the brink of implementing a national policy to provide free menstrual hygiene products to adolescent schoolgirls. This is a pivotal move, one that addresses both health and education by ensuring that girls can continue their studies without interruption due to a lack of sanitary products. This policy is a significant stride, but it must be part of a broader strategy—one that includes menstrual education, awareness, and the dismantling of stigma. It’s not just about providing products; it’s about fostering an environment where girls can thrive without the burden of shame or health risks tied to menstruation. As someone with a deep commitment to improving health outcomes and expanding access to care, I believe that policies like these are crucial for advancing gender equity. The journey ahead is challenging, but with robust policies, community involvement, and unwavering dedication to gender equity, we can ensure that menstrual health becomes a priority—not just in India, but globally. By advocating for these changes, we’re not only improving health outcomes but also empowering the next generation of women to pursue their dreams without barriers. #GenderHealthGap #WomensHealth #MenstrualHealth #PolicyReform #HealthAdvocacy #India

Today, as we kick off Menstrual Hygiene and Management Week 2024, we wanted to use this video to highlight the lack of awareness around a simple biological phenomenon that affects millions of girls and women in India: menstruation, commonly termed as periods. The Milaan Foundation team couldn’t stop admiring Whisper India’s latest commercial for its wholesome yet enlightening message. Who could have ever imagined mistaking a period for a fish bone stuck from last night’s dinner! Well, Whisper takes us on a journey where an 8-year-old and her friends think just that. Whisper cleverly uses this mix of innocent humor and relief to drive home an important message. In a country like India, the myths about menstruation still run rampant and education is key. Even today, only about 36% of women use sanitary products while the rest resort to unsafe homegrown methods, such as using leaves or rags soaked with gasoline. For over 20% of young girls in India, the onset of menstruation also means missing school days due to a lack of proper facilities, education, and support. With girls as young as 8 now starting their period, the need and urgency to normalize conversations around menstruation is more vital than ever. That’s why Milaan Foundation is working towards educating girls and boys alike about menstruation hygiene at a grass root level. Throughout each of our programs, including the Girl Icon Program, the Unmukt Adolescent Program, and Swarachna School, we’re debunking these myths, breaking down barriers, and empowering young minds with the knowledge and confidence to navigate this natural part of life. At the same time, we realize that we cannot fight this fight alone and we invite you to join us to shush the shushing. Let us break down taboos together and empower our young girls to take charge of their health and futures. We’d love to hear your thoughts and learn about other initiatives or how you would like to make a difference in the comments below. #MenstrualHygieneDay #MHM #Education #GenderEquality #Whisper #MenstrualHealth #CorporateResponsibility #CSR #Empowerment #Health #India #LetGirlsLearn #PeriodFriendlyWrold National Health Mission, Uttar Pradesh National Health Mission, Department of Public Health and Family Welfare, Govt of Madhya Pradesh Video Credit: Whisper India

Despite strides in social progress, the stigma and myths surrounding periods still hold many women back, perpetuating a sense of shame and inferiority. In India, where we pride ourselves on being at the forefront of social change, menstrual health and hygiene remain urgent. According to a recent UNICEF report, only 13% of girls are aware of menstruation before their first period, leading to high rates of absenteeism and school dropouts due to inadequate facilities. But it’s not just about education—it’s about access. Two out of three women lack access to safe menstrual products, resorting to unsafe alternatives that jeopardize their health and well-being. Here are some of the companies from our ecosystem that are actively working towards creating menstrual awareness, and offering affordable, sustainable solutions: Sirona | Good Glamm Group Pee Safe Plush Nushu Naarica. They aim to empower women and ensure their fundamental right to safe menstrual products. If you’re building in the menstrual health space in India, we encourage you to join our ecosystem - https://lnkd.in/gi-ZhJuq Let’s join hands to create a supportive ecosystem for menstrual health and hygiene, empowering women and fostering equality for all. #menstruation #womenshealth #india #women #periodpoverty #menstrualhygiene #socialchange https://lnkd.in/ekkbiVHE

Did you know that only 6% of schools in Bangladesh provide education on Menstrual Health Management (#MHM)? In most schools, teachers deliberately avoid discussing the topic, often advising students- "Read this at home!". As a result, nearly 47% of students do not know about menstruation until their first period, and those who do often receive inaccurate information, perpetuating superstitions rather than facts. Survey results have consistently shown poor menstrual health management among adult women, both in urban and rural areas. A report by Prothom Alo on Menstrual Hygiene Day in 2018 indicated that about 45 million girls and women in Bangladesh still use clothes during menstruation. Many reuse the same cloth multiple times, often without proper sanitation. Only 10% of teenage girls and 25% of adult women use sanitary napkins, menstrual cups, or other sanitary methods during menstruation. What are the reasons behind this? The high price of pads? Unavailability of pads? Lack of awareness? Or is there another reason? When there is a lack of menstrual hygiene awareness and usable washrooms in urban areas, what about women in the more disadvantaged communities of the country? The situation raises critical concerns—how can women tea garden workers, who work eight hours a day, or the Bede women living on boats, who do not have proper WASH facilities, maintain proper hygiene during menstruation? #MenstrualEquity #PeriodPovertyAwareness #PeriodFriendlyWorld #MHDay2024 #GiveBangladesh #দেশেরপ্রতিটিপ্রান্তে

Imagine a world without multi-specialty hospitals and fancy clinics. Well, that's the reality for many in rural India. But, Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) and Anganwadi workers(AWW) stand at the frontlines, providing critical services to these communities. ASHA workers are often the first point of contact for healthcare needs. From vaccinations and prenatal checkups to raising awareness about hygiene and nutrition, they do it all! Anganwadi workers run preschool centres, providing nutritious meals, early education, and a safe space for little ones to blossom. I interacted with Sujata Kareka, ASHA worker in Koraput District (Katragadda Village, dominated by Khonds tribe). And, I realised that there were a lot of taboos and myths related to topics as basic as menstrual hygiene. This led to shame and exclusion of women and girls! It is safe to say they are the bridge connecting rural India to essential healthcare and empowering a brighter future for generations to come. When we talk about “Naari Shakti”, these are the faces that come to my mind. Their dedication, compassion, and resilience are truly inspiring. We can't even imagine the kind of work they do and the massive impact they make. So this International Women’s Day, let's give a huge shoutout to the incredible ASHA and Anganwadi workers! And, this shouldn’t be a one day thing. They deserve it every single day! P.S. If you've women in your life who inspire you, go tag them in the comments! #womenempowerment #ruralindia #bettertogether

Menstrual health is a critical public health issue. Millions of women and girls worldwide face period poverty, which includes limited access to period products, menstrual education, or adequate water sanitation and hygiene facilities. To overcome such issues, #ASSOCHAM Goa State Development Council has curated an awareness program on #MenstrualHealthAndHygiene with special emphasis on #CervicalCancer. The session aims to: 🚺 Raise awareness about the importance of #MenstrualHygiene. 🚺 Address the #healthcare needs of diverse women stakeholders. 🚺 Provide expert medical guidance to break social taboos and myths. 🚺 Empower women and enhance their participation in economic development. 📢 Join us to educate, empower, and strengthen the role of #women in our society. 🗓️ May 30, 2024 ⏰02:30 PM to 05:30 PM 📍Panjim Let us break barriers and foster a healthier and inclusive future. 🤝🏻 Government of Goa, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, Ministry of Women & Child Development, Vishwajit Rane, Manguirish Pai Raiker, Sagar Salgaocar, Pallavi Salgaocar

UNICEF reports that in India - Many girls are unaware of what menstruation is until they experience it themselves, with 71% of girls unaware until menarche. - Menstruation is a taboo topic in Indian society, leading to restrictions and exclusions of menstruating girls and women. - UNICEF is working to educate girls and women about menstrual health management, and to provide affordable and accessible sanitary products. - UNICEF has launched the MAHIMA project in Jharkhand to help girls break the silence surrounding menstruation and to provide them with knowledge about menstrual hygiene. - UNICEF has also launched the GARIMA project in Uttar Pradesh to strengthen menstrual hygiene management among rural adolescent girls. Why it is not taught in schools? Why is there a lack of knowledge? How chauvinist society we are that we don't create some real good quality toilets for women. Wash program is an eyewash. This illiteracy leads to many health and social issues. After 75 years we are still neglecting MHM as a priority for adolescent girls

Empowering Young Girls; Enhancing Lives Amina is a JSS2 student attending a public school. She lives in a rural community, where most young girls begin menstruation without prior information. As a result, she only knows that when she first sees blood, she has attained womanhood. She doesn't understand what sanitary products are or what they look like, and for over a year, she has been using tissue or any rag she finds in the house. Many times, she has had to miss school during her period because she got herself stained. With the belief that no one should know about her period, she skips classes and ends up not coming to school for several days. Gradually, she began to fail her subjects and soon had an infection. Unfortunately, living like this can lead to consistent unpleasant odour, skin irritation, increased shame, and stigma. The consistent use of tissue can lead to infertility and an increased risk of infections for Amina. There are many others like Amina. That is why Feminine Hygiene Support aims to change the narrative by spreading awareness about menstrual hygiene. Menstruation is a natural process that women and girls experience until menopause. Hence, we shouldn't be shy to talk about it. FHS is not only providing free sanitary pads to women and girls but also educating them to enhance their understanding and open their minds. In rural Nigeria, many women and girls lack access to basic menstrual health products and facilities, leading to discomfort, insecurity, inequality, and discrimination. But we're changing that! Feminine Hygiene Support is creating a positive change in rural regions of Nigeria by providing: - Sanitary pads - Menstrual health education - Dignified solutions for menstrual management Join us on this journey to: - Break the silence around menstruation - Build confidence and self-esteem - Unlock the potential of rural women and girls Together, let's create a more inclusive and equitable society for all. Watch our video to see the impact we're making and how you can be part of the change! 8076620859 Boluwatife Ogundoro (Feminine Hygiene Support) Moniepoint MFB