The problem of Female Hygiene & Sanitation in India

Currently lot many female lives without access to basic sanitation and hygiene, most of them living in rural areas. The culture of silence & shame does not keep the adolescent girls prepared for menarche and they are unable to manage their monthly periods in a hygienic & safe way. This sanitation crisis is detrimental not only to women’s health but also to their education, dignity, community status, and overall well-being. With improved sanitation for women, women all over the country will experience an elevated standard of living in several aspects.

Some Facts:

• 375 million girls and women of reproductive age, most of whom experience menstruation every month.
• 24% of school girls report missing school days during menstruation.
• 52 % of adolescent girls are not aware of menstruation before menarche.
• 54%of adolescents state that mothersare their main source of information on menstruation.
• 70% of mothers consider menstruation as dirty.

Low Use of Sanitary Napkins:

• 48.2% Women (15-24) in Rural India use Some Kind of Menstrual Absorbents during Menstruation Period
• In Urban area 77.5% Women uses the Sanitary Napkins / Menstrual Absorbents

• On Pan India this figure is 57.6%

• Most of these Menstrual Absorbents are not Bio-degradable.

The low use of Sanitary Napkins has also been referred as the main source of infection among females in India.

*Sources: National Family Health Survey(NFHS)2015-16