Menstrual Hygiene Program

 

In a nation as diverse as India, where traditions blend seamlessly with modernity, a concerning disparity came to light through the National Family Health Survey (2015-16) conducted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The survey revealed a striking contrast in menstrual hygiene practices between rural and urban regions. Astonishingly, only 48.2% of adolescent girls between the ages of 15 to 24 in rural India were found to use hygienic methods of protection during their menstrual periods, compared to a significantly higher rate of 77.5% in urban areas. This revelation, however, is not just about statistics; it unveils a far-reaching issue that touches the lives of countless women in rural India. 
The consequences of this Menstrual Hygiene Gap extend far beyond statistics, as they touch the lives of countless girls in small towns who often face the distressing choice of skipping school during their menstrual cycles or, worse, dropping out entirely due to the lack of adequate menstrual hygiene resources. Moreover, the prevalent use of cloth, leaves, or even cow dung as makeshift substitutes for pads or tampons has grave health implications. Shockingly, a staggering 28% of women in India are diagnosed with cervical cancer, a disease that has been linked to the unhygienic management of menstruation. This harsh reality underscores the urgency of addressing and rectifying the prevailing menstrual hygiene challenges in rural India.

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