Menstrual hygiene – shattering the social stigma

Abstract

Menstruation is a hypersensitive issue with a prevalent social stigma in the so called Modern India. A natural bodily process involving severe pain that should be prudently handled to avoid health hazards is considered unclean, impure, inappropriate to talk about, etc. and the endless discrimination as repercussions of these. Consequently, the concept of hygiene remains largely hidden under the darkness of the menstrual taboo. As per a research study in 2016, only 12% of 355 million menstruating girls and women use sanitary pads. Others resort to scrap cloth, husk, ashes, leaves, soil and other life threatening materials. A very small percentage employ the use of advanced hygiene products such as tampons, menstrual cups, etc. This poses severe health hazards, loss of dignity, girls dropping out of schools due to absenteeism, etc. and a slow but certain threat to human life. This paper explores the interplay of factors through interactions with all involved stakeholders to understand their perspectives on the social stigma surrounding menstrual hygiene and suggest corresponding recommendations.