Mumbai: Menstrual hygiene awareness is severely underrepresented in the state curriculum, a survey has found. The UNICEF survey pointed at the need for an educational curriculum focusing on menstrual hygiene management (MHM), along with its practical and biological aspects.
The report said that 70 per cent of mothers considered menstruation “dirty”, further perpetrating taboos, and a few girls were even unaware of menstrual hygiene and hygienic methods of using sanitary pads.
According to the UNICEF report, a mere 13 per cent of the girls aged 11 to 19 years were aware of safe menstrual hygiene practices in the state. The dropout rates in rural Maharashtra for girls during their menstrual cycle were an astounding 60 to 70 per cent. Social stigma had reduced menstruation to something dirty and rarely discussed and the burden of this “impurity” was being borne by many girl students across the state.
Dr Yasmin Ali Haque, representative, UNICEF, said, “It is just not right that adolescent girls feel the need to miss school due to the pains or stains and taboo associated with menstruation. We are acting as communication tools that have equipped girls and people in their ecosystem with the necessary life skills on managing the issue.”
“The MHM programme launched by Maharashtra is a step in the right direction towards not only educating people about menstrual hygiene but also getting rid of the stigma and taboo associated with it,” she said.
A senior central government official said, “Government schools across cities and states have been asked to set up a menstrual hygiene management plan among girl students under the Swachcha Bharat Swachcha Vidyalaya programme.”
“The schools have been asked to interact with parents and conduct UNICEF’s six session programmes to guide and educate regarding maintaining proper hygiene during menstruation,” the official said. The official reiterated the importance of involving NGOs for strengthening the health system in terms of increased efficiency, more equity and good governance.
