Menstrual health awareness and proper hygiene practices are essential to combat stigma, improve education, and ensure gender equality.
- Menstrual Hygiene Day is celebrated on May 28 to highlight proper menstrual hygiene management
- German NGO WASH United initiated Menstrual Hygiene Day in 2013
- Many women in rural areas cannot afford or have limited access to sanitary pads
- As per survey, use of sanitary pads is lower in rural areas at 73%, compared to 90% in urban areas
- Lack of facilities and awareness among girls leads to academic gaps and higher dropout rates
- Over 2 crore girls drop out of school every year in India when their periods begin, says UNESCO
- As per UNESCO, 71% adolescent girls in India are unaware of menstruation until they get their first period
- Many women in India still face discriminatory practices during their periods
Menstruation, or periods, is a natural and vital aspect of reproductive health that happens to female-bodied people across the gender spectrum. Proper menstrual hygiene practices, such as using sanitary products, are important to manage menstruation safely and comfortably.
National Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS) states that in India, 78% adolescent girls use proper hygiene methods during their menstrual cycle, however, UNICEF study shows that 71% of adolescent girls in India still remain unaware of menstruation until they get their first period.