Progress report for
Breaking the silence – Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) in India
Achievement at a glance
As an outcome of the initiative, it was observed to reduce unnecessary embarrassment, shame and culture of silence around menstruation among adolescent girls and women in the project area in India. Further, safe and effective Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) is found to be a trigger for better and stronger development for adolescent girls and women. Awareness campaign among adolescent girls and women on Menstrual Hygiene and health leads to increase access and use of quality sanitary pads in rural and urban areas of South India. Further to ensure safe disposal of Sanitary Napkins in an environment friendly manner. Eco-friendly biodegradable sanitary pads (made of plant fibres/Jute, banana, pineapple, even corn fibre) were introduced as an advantage of not posing as an environmental hazard.Government of India declared Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) as a priority area along with handwashing, ending open defecation and building toilets through the launch of the present flagship program of India the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM). Apart from the construction of toilets, it aimed at bringing improvement in cleanliness and hygiene through effective and scientific solid and liquid waste management system, where the Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) was included and funds allocated for solid and liquid waste management were provisioned to implement safe disposal.
Further, the Kerala government has decided to grant menstrual leave to female students of all universities and institutions under the state higher education department as part of the government’s commitment to realise a gender-just society. Kerala in southern India is set to become the first state in the country to grant menstrual leave for students. Taking into consideration the mental and physical difficulties faced by female students during menstruation, necessary steps will be taken to implement menstrual leave in all higher education department.
Breaking the Silence has to end taboos, myths, and mental stigma associated with menstruation and raising awareness on menstruation as a natural and life-giving biological phenomenon so that girls and women can manage their menstruation hygienically with privacy and dignity. The ability of girls and women to exercise the power of their voice in terms of opinion make themselves be heard. Further, community which recognizes women’s leadership in social, economic and political spheres. Girls and women become the primary stakeholder in their education, health, livelihood and economic well-being. Scaling up globally the declaration of the Government of India on Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) as a priority area along with handwashing, ending open defecation and constructing toilets.
Challenges faced in implementation
Lack of financial support is found to be the main challenge of the initiative in India,Though, menstruation is a normal and natural biological process by all adolescent girls and women, yet it is not spoken about openly causing unnecessary embarrassment and shame. In India, the culture of silence around menstruation compounded by taboos makes it a terrifying experience for most and restricts them from practicing safe menstrual hygiene. Lack of a separate and usable girl’s toilet in schools and a toilet at home leaves adolescent girls and women to face the indignity of open defecation.
Issues related to Menstrual Hygiene Management:
a). Stigma, culture of silence and lack of information; b). Lack of access to sanitary napkins and menstrual absorbents; c). Absence of support from family and community; d). Lack of access to water, sanitation and hygiene facilities; e). Lack of separate and usable toilet for girls and women; f). Lack of disposal facilities of sanitary pads and cloths. Therefore, we are seeking 1 million US dollars (10,00,000 US Dollars) as financial support from UN agencies/donors as part of our commitment to realizing SDG 6 by 2030 under the Water Action Agenda.
Next Steps
As the NEXT Step, the programme on Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) needs to scale-up in Rural and Urban areas of three Southern States in India- Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. New IEC materials for Capacity training and Advocacy actions needs to be produced in order to intensify the campaign. More tie-ups with Local Self-Government (PRIs) are necessary for the realization of our commitments on SDG 6 by 2030. Therefore, NGO/CSO networks needs to be strengthen in the project area of three States in South India including Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Though both States and Union Governments are doing very good job on MHM with their own funding allocation, NGO/CSOs needs to find out adequate funding support.Following activities are planning to intensify in the three Southern States in India:
• Awareness campaign among adolescent girls and women on Menstrual Hygiene and health.
• To increase access and use of quality sanitary pads to adolescent girls and women in rural areas and urban areas of South India.
• Ensure safe disposal of Sanitary Napkins in an environment friendly manner.
• Further, eco-friendly biodegradable sanitary pads (made of plant fibres/Jute, banana, pineapple, even corn fibre) are to be introduced more as an advantage of not posing as an environmental hazard.
Beneficiaries
Adolescent girls and women are the primary beneficiaries . Menstruation is a normal and natural biological process by all adolescent girls and women, yet it is not spoken about openly causing unnecessary embarrassment and shame. In India, the culture of silence around menstruation compounded by taboos makes it a terrifying experience for most and restricts them from practicing safe menstrual hygiene. Lack of a separate and usable girl’s toilet in schools and a toilet at home leaves adolescent girls and women to face the indignity of open defecation.
Actions
Three States in South India including Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka are selected to intensify the programme on Menstrual Hygiene Management as part of our commitment to realize SDG 6 by 2030 under the initiative of Water Action Agenda. Following are the key actions to be carried out:• Awareness campaign among adolescent girls and women on Menstrual Hygiene and health.
• To increase access and use of quality sanitary pads to adolescent girls and women in rural areas and urban areas of South India.
• Ensure safe disposal of Sanitary Napkins in an environment friendly manner.
• Further, eco-friendly biodegradable sanitary pads (made of plant fibres/Jute, banana, pineapple, even corn fibre) are introduced as an advantage of not posing as an environmental hazard. Central and State Governments, Local Self Governments (Panchayats) Rural Development Department, Pollution Control Boards, Local community- households and NGOs, schools and Education department, Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs ) are involved in this process of Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM).