How menstrual health is changing in rural India-gaps and improvements
Menstrual health is a vital aspect of overall well-being of women, and yet, it remains a topic wrapped in silence and stigma, particularly in rural areas. In many developing countries, women face numerous challenges (especially in the rural pockets), when it comes to managing their menstrual health. Limited access to sanitary products, inadequate hygiene practices, lack of proper nutrition worsen the situation, negatively impacting women’s health. It is thus crucial to empower rural women by promoting hygiene and proper nutrition for menstrual health awareness, ensuring their overall health and therefore a focus on productive roles.
Many rural women lack access to sanitary napkins due to factors like financial constraints, lack of awareness and lack of product availability. According to the National Family Health Survey, about 50% women use cloth during menstruation, which is not classified as hygienic protection. These unhygienic practices and ignorance can lead to multiple health related issues and even critical illnesses like cervical cancer, reproductive tract infections, Hepatitis B infection, urinary tract infection and more.Almost 20 million girls drop out of school every year, due to lack of hygiene, separate toilets and availability of sanitary napkins.