To,
Shakuntala Doley Gamlin
Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan)
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
Government of India
Subject: Ensuring Period Equity for individuals with physical disabilities.
Respected Madam,
As per the 2011 census, 2.68 crore individuals in India are facing some or the other kind of disability. Out of these, 1.18 crore are women, most of whom are menstruating individuals.
It is no doubt that menstruation brings several challenges in one’s life, and with existing disabilities, dealing with menstruation can be extremely difficult for many individuals. Often, people with physical disabilities face issues in terms of accessibility and usage of sanitary products which makes them prone to MHM-related infections.
Furthermore, people with physical disabilities are often unable to earn sufficient income for their livelihood. The state does provide them with a ‘pension‘, but it seldom suffices for their daily expenses, leaving them with little money to spend on this monthly phenomenon.
Furthermore, for individuals who have to use a wheelchair all the time, dealing with menstruation becomes difficult. I wonder why the state is not going the extra mile for menstruators with disabilities – as hygienic menstrual practices are costly for many individuals in this nation.
Often individuals with physical disabilities have caretakers who manage many of their day-to-day tasks. While most caretakers are mothers, the possibility of a menstruating individual having a non-menstruating caretaker is disconcerting as non-menstruating individuals aren’t aware of MHM practices. In such a scenario, the non-menstruating caretakers often have to figure these things out themselves.
Additionally, we rarely see any MHM product created explicitly for menstruators with physical disabilities. One can’t seem to deny that neither the public nor the private sector has paid any attention to even the mere possibility of creating such products.
In a country like India, where world-renowned public intellectuals reside, it does seem to be problematic how no one has taken the initiative to research and create such products. In such a scenario, the responsibility falls on the state to take the initiative and regulate all possible mechanisms to make the lifestyle of menstruators with physical disabilities easier.
Several actions, mentioned below can resolve the problems above:
- Subsidization: By providing subsidies of MHM products to people with disabilities or providing them with an additional MHM allowance alongside their pensions, the state can relieve them of having to spend on expensive MHM products or medications.
- Free distribution: The state can deliver free MHM products monthly to the doorsteps of these individuals. This type of mass distribution can be done with the assistance of both the public and the NGO sectors. It is no doubt that the state is capable of employing grass-root level workers for managing such localized operations – the efficient work done by ASHAs proves it.The state can also collaborate with various NGOs in a decentralized set-up for the distribution of these products. Such a mechanism will ease out the possible burden on the state. It will also create an avenue for the public sector and the NGOs to collaborate, giving both the areas various opportunities to broaden the reach and impact of their activism.
- Training caretakers: Often, caretakers (both menstruating and non-menstruating) are unable to understand the menstrual needs of their charge, and there is often a concern whether conventional MHM techniques are suitable for individuals with disabilities. By conducting local level workshops, the state can provide the caretakers with reliable and medically-supported information as to how they can address the menstrual needs of their loved ones.
It is evident in many cases, equity becomes a necessary prerequisite for achieving equality, and we also understand that individual differences are not limited to any socioeconomic levels. By not engaging in this possible act of ‘Period Equity’ for menstruators with disabilities, we are not just doing injustice to our friends who have to experience all these problems but also to the values of socioeconomic justice our nation was founded upon.
I hope this letter finds you well – as allies we can only voice our opinions and concerns – it is in the hands of the state to reflect on those concerns and utilize the public machinery for the benefit of the ones who need it.
Yours sincerely,
Ansh Sharma
Word of thanks– I would like to thank Ms Chandni Ahuja, Founder, Raindrops Foundation, for her invaluable inputs which helped me achieve a better understanding of this issue.
The author is a part of the current batch of the #PeriodParGyan Writer’s Training Program