Menstrual equity is key to gender equality

Since 2014, May 28 has been observed globally as Menstrual Hygiene Day, drawing attention to the importance of menstrual health and hygiene.

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The occasion is marked by awareness campaigns and pad distribution drives. But for millions of menstruating people across India, this day passes like any other — shrouded in silence, discomfort, and exclusion. While public conversations on menstruation have increased, they are only one piece of a much larger puzzle.India has around 355 million menstruating women and girls. According to the fifth round of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), nearly 77% of young women aged 15 to 24 use hygienic methods such as sanitary napkins or menstrual cups. However, this figure drops to 64% in rural areas and remains significantly lower among the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and poorest households. These numbers mask a deeper crisis of access, dignity, and education. Period poverty is not just about lack of products — it reflects the social structures that determine who gets to negotiate menstruation safely and who does not.

In 2018, only 18% of schools in India had basic sanitation facilities that included covered bins and functional incinerators for menstrual waste. The numbers were better in girls-only secondary schools, but most co-educational and primary schools lacked these essential services. As a result, many girls miss school during their periods, and some drop out entirely. This is not a private inconvenience — it is a public failure that affects education, health, and future opportunities for economic participation, perpetuating gender inequality.