The Centre has urged states to develop and submit detailed action plans to effectively implement the Menstrual Hygiene Policy for School Girls, ensuring access to affordable menstrual hygiene products and gender-responsive sanitation facilities in public and government-aided schools. This directive follows a Supreme Court observation on November 12, emphasizing the need for tailored action plans that address the specific needs of each state and union territory (UT).
Highlights of the National Menstrual Hygiene Policy
The Menstrual Hygiene Policy for School Girls, approved by the Union Health Ministry on November 2, aims to integrate menstrual hygiene management into the school system. Its key goals include:
- Awareness and Behavioural Change:
Promoting knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors that enable schoolgirls to overcome barriers such as low awareness and stigma, which often restrict their participation in daily activities. - Timely Access to Hygiene Products:
Streamlining systems to ensure continuous availability of low-cost menstrual hygiene products in schools. States and UTs are required to assess the demand for such products and use survey mechanisms to address gaps. - Environmental Responsibility:
Encouraging safe and eco-friendly menstrual waste management practices. - Gender-Sensitive Sanitation:
Advocating for clean, gender-segregated sanitation facilities in all government and government-aided schools. - Curriculum Integration:
Including menstrual hygiene education in school curricula to reduce stigma and raise awareness.
State Action Plans
States and UTs have been asked to:
- Develop comprehensive plans covering all aspects of the policy.
- Ensure inter-departmental coordination to address challenges in infrastructure, supply chains, and awareness.
- Prioritize sensitization and awareness activities for students, parents, and educators.
- Include timelines, monitoring mechanisms, and key performance indicators for effective implementation.
Broader Menstrual Hygiene Initiatives
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has also introduced a scheme targeting adolescent girls aged 10-19 in rural areas. Launched in 2011 across 107 districts in 17 states, the scheme aims to:
- Increase awareness about menstrual hygiene.
- Provide high-quality sanitary napkins at subsidized rates.
- Ensure environmentally friendly disposal of sanitary products.
Under the scheme, a pack of six sanitary napkins, branded as “Freedays,” is made available for ₹6. States and UTs now procure these napkins through decentralized mechanisms under the National Health Mission. Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) distribute the napkins, earning ₹1 per pack sold and receiving a free pack for personal use each month. ASHAs also convene monthly meetings at Anganwadi centers to discuss menstrual hygiene and other adolescent sexual and reproductive health issues.
Communication and Outreach
A variety of Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials, including audio, video, and print resources, have been developed to create awareness. These materials are designed to support adolescent girls, ASHAs, and field workers in promoting safe and hygienic menstrual practices.
By focusing on education, accessibility, and awareness, the policy aims to create a supportive and stigma-free environment for adolescent girls in schools and communities.
Source of Information: https://nhm.gov.in/index1.php?lang=1&level=3&sublinkid=1021&lid=391
