Championing change: How political action can transform menstrual health in India

Babbar, Karan (2024) Championing change: How political action can transform menstrual health in India. International Health Policies.

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Abstract

Imagine starting your period for the first time, completely unprepared and alone. Sadly, this is the reality for nearly half of all girls in India due to a pervasive culture of silence surrounding menstruation. Menstrual health is a critical issue often neglected in public discourse, and unfortunately, it’s not a priority in the current political election campaign either. In low- and middle-income countries like India, this silence translates into a silent crisis: menstrual health and hygiene (MHH) struggles, especially for those who menstruate in rural areas. Limited access to period products, lack of proper sanitation facilities, and deep-rooted taboos create immense challenges. These challenges intensify during crises. The COVID-19 lockdown in India exacerbated the existing MHH struggles. Period Products were not added as a part of the essentials list in the first week of lockdown. After a huge outcry on social media, period products were eventually added as a part of the essential list. However, these restrictions disrupted supply chains, and social stigma surrounding menstruation further hindered access to essential supplies.

Item Type: Article in News Papers and Magazine
Keywords: Menstrual Health and Hygiene (MHH) | Menstrual health | Shalini Jha and Mausam Kumari
Subjects: Social Sciences and humanities > Social Sciences > Gender Studies
Social Sciences and humanities > Social Sciences > Social Sciences (General)
Social Sciences and humanities > Social Sciences > Health (Social sciences)
JGU School/Centre: Jindal Global Business School
Depositing User: Subhajit Bhattacharjee
Date Deposited: 15 Jul 2024 08:49
Last Modified: 15 Jul 2024 08:49
Official URL: https://www.internationalhealthpolicies.org/featur...
URI: https://pure.jgu.edu.in/id/eprint/8093

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