PROMISING SHIFT IN MENSTRUAL HYGIENE MANAGEMENT

Improvement in Usage – National Family Health Survey (NFHS) 2019-2020: The fifth round of the survey highlighted that approximately 80% of young women (aged 15-24) in India are now using safe menstrual hygiene products.

Urban-Rural Disparity

• Urban Areas: Significant improvements in the usage of menstrual hygiene products.
• Demographic Variations: Certain demographics have shown greater strides in menstrual hygiene management.

MARGINALISED POPULATIONS: WOMEN IN INDIAN PRISONS

Overlooked Needs: Neglect of Female Prisoners – Female prisoners’ basic needs, including menstrual hygiene, are often overlooked due to societal biases and systemic neglect.

Societal Bias

• Standards of Purity: Society holds an unrealistic standard of female purity, making it difficult to accept that women can commit crimes.
• Fundamental Rights: Prisoners, especially women, are often deemed unworthy of fundamental rights, leading to neglect in various aspects of their welfare.

Systemic Oversight – Menstrual Hygiene in Prisons: The neglect extends to menstrual hygiene, a critical yet ignored aspect of female prisoners’ health and dignity.
STATUS OF MENSTRUAL HYGIENE IN INDIAN PRISONS

Overview

• Population: 23,772 women in Indian prisons.
• Reproductive Age Group: 77% (ages 18-50) likely to be regular menstruators.

Inconsistent Availability and Quality

• Sanitary Napkins: Inconsistent availability across different prisons.
• Quality Issues: Often unsatisfactory, not meeting the required standards.

Implementation of Guidelines

• 2016 Model Prison Manual: Recommends adequate water and washroom facilities.
• Current Status: Many states have not fully implemented these provisions.

Contributing Factors

• Overcrowding: Compounds difficulties in securing basic necessities.
• Socio-Economic Conditions: Poor conditions exacerbate struggles for water, sanitary napkins, detergent, and soap.

Case Study: Maharashtra Prison (June 2023)

• Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Facilities: Inadequate to meet the needs of women prisoners.
• Water Supply: Lack of continuous supply forces women to store water.
• Toilet Facilities: 50 women share just two toilets.
  • Usage: For all daily activities including excretion, changing napkins, and washing clothes/utensils.
• Hygiene Issues: Filthy washrooms discourage use, increasing urinary infections.

Reliance on Donations

• Sanitary Napkins: Often provided by non-governmental organizations.
• Decision Making: Type, quality, and quantity of menstrual absorbents decided by donors.
  • Result: Frequently leads to the supply of substandard products.

POLICY INTERVENTIONS FOR MENSTRUAL HYGIENE IN INDIA

1. Menstrual Hygiene Scheme:
   • India has implemented the Menstrual Hygiene Scheme to improve access to menstrual hygiene products, especially for young women.
   • The scheme includes the distribution of free or subsidised sanitary napkins.
2. National Menstrual Hygiene Policy (2023):
   • India formulated the National Menstrual Hygiene Policy in 2023.
   • The policy recognizes menstruation as a natural process and emphasizes equitable access to safe and dignified menstrual hygiene management.
   • It aims to address disparities and barriers faced by different groups in accessing menstrual hygiene products, resources, and information.
3. Equity Focus:
   • The draft policy prioritizes equity to ensure all menstruating individuals, irrespective of socioeconomic status or geographical location, have equal opportunities for safe and hygienic menstrual management.
4. Target Population:
   • The policy identifies prisoners as a target population with compromised access to menstrual hygiene facilities.
   • This inclusion reflects a positive step but lacks a concrete action plan for improving menstrual hygiene management in prisons.
5. Challenges and Oversight:
   • The policy overlooks the Ministry of Home Affairs as a critical stakeholder influencing menstrual hygiene management in prisons.
   • There is a need for a more detailed action plan to address menstrual hygiene challenges in prisons and other underserved populations

IMPROVING MENSTRUAL HYGIENE IN PRISONS

1. Ensuring Adherence to Model Prison Manual 2016 The Indian government should ensure that every state adheres to the recommendations outlined in the Model Prison Manual 2016, particularly concerning menstrual hygiene standards for women in captivity.
2. Collaboration between Public Health Authorities and Prison Administrators Encouraging collaboration between public health authorities and prison administrators is crucial. This collaboration should focus on developing a comprehensive strategy to ensure access to adequate menstrual hygiene products and facilities within prisons, prioritizing the health and dignity of women.
3. Conducting Empirical Research There is a notable lack of empirical evidence regarding menstrual hygiene within prison walls. Therefore, there is an urgent need to conduct research to understand the current state of menstrual hygiene and address any existing gaps or challenges.