Context
- NFHS-6 (2023–24): Usage of hygienic menstrual protection among women aged 15–24 increased to 79.2%, compared to 77.6% in NFHS-5 (2019–21) and 57.6% in NFHS-4 (2015–16).
- This reflects improved awareness, affordability and accessibility of menstrual hygiene products through government interventions.
Menstrual Hygiene: Meaning and Significance
- WHO–UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP): Defines effective menstrual hygiene management as using clean materials that can be changed privately as often as required, washed and dried or safely disposed of, without embarrassment or restriction.
- Significance: Prevents infections, ensures comfort and promotes women's health, dignity, gender equality and participation in education and economic activities.
- SDG Linkages:
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being.
- SDG 5: Gender Equality.
Government Initiatives Promoting Menstrual Hygiene
- Scheme for Promotion of Menstrual Hygiene: Implemented by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare under the National Health Mission (NHM).
- Promotes menstrual hygiene awareness among adolescent girls.
- Facilitates subsidised sanitary napkin distribution through Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), schools and community platforms.
- Promotes environmentally safe disposal of sanitary napkins.
- Information, Education and Communication (IEC): Awareness materials promote menstrual health education and informed practices.
- Jan Aushadhi Suvidha Sanitary Napkins: Launched under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) at ₹1 per pad to ensure affordable menstrual protection.
- Distribution: Over 100 crore pads sold by January 2026, including more than 22.50 crore during FY 2025–26.
- Accessibility: Distributed through over 18,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras nationwide.
Significance of Improving Menstrual Hygiene
- Improved Public Health: Reduces dependence on unhygienic menstrual materials and associated infection risks.
- Educational Participation: Reduces menstrual-health-related barriers to girls' school attendance and participation.
- Gender Equality: Promotes dignity, autonomy and informed decision-making among young women.
- Behavioural Transformation: Reflects growing awareness, affordability and acceptance of menstrual hygiene practices.
- Long-term Progress: Hygienic menstrual protection increased by nearly 22 percentage points between NFHS-4 and NFHS-6.
Conclusion: India's progress in menstrual hygiene reflects the importance of combining health awareness, affordable products, community-level delivery and safe disposal mechanisms. The focus must now shift towards universal access to safe, affordable and environmentally sustainable menstrual hygiene management.
