The Past Decade Has Seen A Positive Change Towards Menstrual Hygiene Management

The concept of menstruation hygiene management is widely used nowadays. But the scenario was not so recent in the history of MHM in India and around the world. The word menstruation is closely associated with shame, hesitation and humiliation.

Before going deep, we first have to know what this MHM is. The joint monitoring programme (JMP) of WHO & UNICEF, has proposed the following definition of MHM, “Women and adolescent girls are using a clean menstrual management material to absorb or collect the menstrual blood, that can be changed in privacy as often as necessary for the duration of a menstrual period using soap and water for washing the body as required and having access to safe and convenient facilities to dispose of used menstrual management materials. They understand the basic facts linked to the menstrual cycle and how to manage it with dignity and without discomfort or fear.“

Menstrual health got space in the reproductive and child health programme (RCH) in 1997, but it was not completely addressed. In the NGO sector, Child in Need Institute(CINI-founded in 1974) and Chetna (founded in 1984) were some of the pioneers addressing menstrual health under reproductive health (RH)using the Life Cycle Approach to include every stage in a woman’s reproductive life.

Individuals too, were making significant contributions in this field. Yasodhara and Abhijit Dass, health activists, worked for menstrual hygiene awareness in the Almora hill region of Northern India in 1999.

In addition to ongoing activities in the Ministries of Water Supply and Sanitation, Education, and Health that include MHM as an integral component of their sanitation and hygiene program. Several INGOs and NGOs have been working to promote MHM in India for the last two and half decades. Education and awareness programs are the most common MHM intervention.

The MHM is gaining momentum nowadays because there are many international organizations like WSSCC, UNICEF, Water Aid, UNFPA’s ( Life skill programme) working on menstruation. GIWA, Sachi Saheli, Goonj, Thoughtshop foundation, MITU foundation is working in different regions of India.

Religious institutions like Paramarth Niketan, Rishikesh are also stretching their support to the government of India. They support to deal with the issues caused by the stigma and silence ingrained with menstruation.

They are organizing various campaigns, training, sensitization workshops, networks, arranging MHM labs in schools and colleges. Developing policy, guidelines, and program development, work in advocacy, establishing counselling centres to break the silence, and to ensure easy access to appropriate knowledge and informed choice.

Arunachalam Murganathan developed and patented a low-cost machine to make disposable sanitary napkins. SHGs were getting involved in his effort, and this became a community-driven popular campaign. The movie “PadMan” is based upon the story of his continuous effort and struggle. This also helped a lot in creating awareness among the viewers of different sections and gender of the society. It also gave food for thought, as Akshay Kumar played a crucial role in this movie.

The concept raised its speed and scale-up as there are continuous interest and effort shown by the government of India. Under NRHM (ASHA programme, RKSK, RBSK, MHS) also adds a lot to what has been achieved. As a result of which there is a gradual positive shift of development has been seen in the behaviour of society. This also reduced the restriction on girls and women during menstruation. Girl’s attendance in school also rises during menstruation.

NFHS-IV found that 58% of young Indian women (15-24 years) use a hygienic method of protection (mostly sanitary pads). This is a significant increase from the 12 % using Pads in 2010 (as reported by the Plan and AC Nielsen study).

This is, no doubt, a result of greater attention to menstrual hygiene management (MHM) over the past few years in India. It’s good news for us. It reflects the awareness, understanding and acceptance level of people towards the topic about which everyone prefers to remain silent. A flow of change is seen around the globe.

A sustainable MHM structure includes three main components, that is:

1. Widespread awareness to accept menstruation as a natural process and to minimize taboos associated,
2. Availability and accessibility of safe menstrual product and toilet facility for all,
3. Disposal of menstrual waste in an eco-friendly manner.

Various efforts were carried out for the development of the first two components. But we should not forget or ignore the third one.

Careful initiative for Behaviour Change Communication, scientific research, manufacturing of user-friendly products needs to be carried out. Eco-friendly waste disposal and management system need to be ensured. A combined effort is required at all levels so that MHM waste will not stand as a human-made disaster before us in the near future.