ASSOCHAM call for urgent action on menstrual hygiene management

New Delhi: Addressing the Menstrual Hygiene Management Conclave & Awards in New Delhi on Menstrual Hygiene Day, Anil Rajput, Chairperson of the ASSOCHAM National CSR Council, emphasized the urgent need for innovative and effective solutions to menstrual hygiene management. Highlighting the importance of breaking the silence surrounding menstrual hygiene, Rajput noted that 22.7% of women in India still do not use hygienic methods for menstrual protection, according to the National Family Health Survey.

The lack of access to proper menstrual hygiene facilities is a significant issue, contributing to school absenteeism among girls, with 23% dropping out after reaching puberty. The government of India has been running a scheme to promote menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls in rural areas aged 10-19 years. However, Rajput stressed the need for more impactful solutions to address these challenges effectively.

Speaking on the need to create awareness and address various taboos, Rajput said, “Over the years, recognizing the crucial need to break the silence and raise awareness about menstrual hygiene practices, as well as to combat menstrual stigma and create a supportive environment where every woman and girl can manage her menstruation hygienically, ASSOCHAM has been consistently organizing conferences on the different aspects of menstrual health and awareness.”

Rajput also emphasized, “By highlighting exemplary efforts in this area, ASSOCHAM seeks to foster a supportive environment for menstrual health and hygiene, involving various stakeholders including businesses, NGOs, and government bodies. Let’s all redouble our efforts towards menstrual awareness and health and contribute towards building an even more resilient, participatory and powerful India.”

Former Puducherry Lieutenant Governor Dr. Kiran Bedi, the chief guest at the event, called for extensive research to strengthen the menstrual health management system. She urged stakeholders to create a mass movement to address this critical issue affecting many girls and women in India. Dr. Bedi also emphasized the necessity of policy intervention, likening sanitary pads to essential resources like water and gas. She expressed concern about the access to menstrual products in prisons and called for immediate action.

The government has been actively addressing menstrual hygiene through various schemes and interventions by multiple ministries. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has been implementing the Scheme for Promotion of Menstrual Hygiene since 2011, aiming to increase awareness and access to high-quality sanitary napkins for adolescent girls and ensure their safe disposal in an environmentally friendly manner. Additionally, the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) component of ‘Mission Shakti’ aims to generate awareness about menstrual hygiene and the use of sanitary napkins.

The Menstrual Hygiene Conclave and Awards aimed to raise awareness, encourage innovation, and improve menstrual hygiene management. The event featured awards in categories such as the most innovative product in menstrual hygiene, maximum impact by a CSR initiative, and MHM Champion of the Year.