Kerala is known as one of the most educationally efficient states in India. It also is the one with the lowest gender disparity rate. Now, it’s also on the path of being the first State in India, sanitary pad-free.
Recently, the Alappuzha Municipality in Kerala launched “Project Thinkal” for encouraging the use of menstrual cups instead of non-biodegradable sanitary pads. The government has planned to distribute 5,000 menstrual cups in the first phase of its project.
The project was launched keeping in mind the non-biodegradable plastic waste produced by sanitary napkins. It is a joint venture where the civic body has joined hands with HLL Lifecare Limited, who produce the cups. The project is funded by the CSR Initiative of Coal India Ltd (CIL), another government-run company.
The government claimed that this would reduce the State’s carbon footprint in the environment and provide women with a much more hygienic way to manage their menstruation. Taking the stance of safe menstrual practices a little further, the Kerala government, in their endeavour to provide sanitation facilities for women in both houses and schools, planned a survey to determine the sensitive areas for remedial actions.
The government plans to build community toilets or public toilets to ensure safe and hygienic sanitation coverage. Even in government schools, there have been mass renovations to make the washrooms more hygienic and safer for students to use.
Recently, the Kerala State Women’s Development Corporation (KSWDC) Ltd also launched the second phase of its menstrual awareness classes in the State. The government undertook the Menstrual Hygiene Management initiative due to the lack of safety measures and proper awareness. Reproductive and sex education were also part of the awareness programme.
Urinary tract infections and other fungal diseases are prevalent amongst young girls if they don’t maintain their hygiene while menstruating. The workshops also aimed to create a change in girls’ social behaviour by removing the stigma attached to menstruation and teaching them healthy practices.
Kerala is also famous for being a pioneer in undertaking strong discussions on establishing a menstruation leave policy. The government has taken a strong stance in abiding by such leaves as they hope that it will create a more holistic and comfortable environment for women in workplaces. Kerala is the only State where a Government Girls School in Tripunithura, in Ernakulam district, had in 1912 allowed students to take period leave during the time of their annual examination and permitted them to write it later.
Although attending the classes is entirely voluntary, recognising the pain that some women go through periods is a significant step in building a more menstruation friendly atmosphere in the school. But the fact remains that to combat menstrual taboos, there needs to be a more stringent approach adopted by the government.
Recently, cases of anaemia increased in the State because of the lack of knowledge and preventive measures known to women about excessive bleeding or other such conditions. The State was also in the limelight recently for the Sabarimala temple case where women of menstruating age were not allowed to worship. The State still needs to develop policies that combat such taboos and myths on a grassroots level.
Thus, there still needs to be an attempt by the government and other stakeholders to identify and promote intensive research on the areas of concern and implement adequate remedial measures.