• UGI USER
  • Apr 27, 2024
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“NAVIGATING MENSTRUAL EQUITY: CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS”

Syllabus: 

  • GS-2-Health and wellbeing ,Women issues and solutions  

Focus :

  • The article explores global efforts for menstrual equity, highlighting tax-free initiatives and challenges in India.
  • It addresses socio-cultural barriers, government schemes, and the impact of COVID-19, emphasizing the need for comprehensive solutions to promote menstrual equity.

Introduction

  • Recent global efforts have aimed at achieving menstrual equity, particularly through the elimination of taxes on feminine hygiene products.
  • Despite tax-free initiatives, approximately 500 million individuals worldwide still face period poverty, highlighting the need for a comprehensive approach.

Tax-Free Initiatives: A Global Perspective

  • Kenya led the way in 2004 by eliminating Value Added Tax (VAT) on sanitary products, followed by 17 other countries, including
  • The rationale behind tax exemptions was to reduce prices and enhance accessibility, but real-world outcomes varied significantly.

Case Studies on Tax Exemptions

  • Australia: Removal of GST led to reduced consumer costs due to a robust legal framework in the retail sector.
  • Tanzania: VAT exemptions didn’t result in significant price reductions due to a large portion of product sales occurring in small shops with price variations.
  • India and Bangladesh: Experienced inconsistent or no reductions in prices despite tax abolishment.
Source- UN

Challenges in India: Persistent Issues

  • GST exemptions in India lowered prices but posed economic viability challenges for local manufacturers.
  • Lack of menstrual education among adolescent girls contributes to accessibility issues.
  • Regional disparities exacerbate the problem, with rural areas facing more significant challenges than urban areas.
About Period Poverty :

  • Period poverty is the inability of those with low earnings to obtain or purchase appropriate period goods.

India’s steps–

  • SABLA program: The Ministry of Women and Child Development oversaw its implementation. Its main topics include diet, health, cleanliness, and sexual and reproductive health (with a connection to rural mothers and daycare facilities).
  • The National Rural Livelihood Mission- helps small businesses and self-help organizations make sanitary pads.
  • Swachh Bharat: Swachh Vidyalaya (SB:SV) and the Swachh Bharat Mission:
    Managing menstrual hygiene is another essential component of the Swachh Bharat Mission.
  • Guidelines for Sanitation’s Gender Issues, 2017: The Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation has developed these to guarantee gender parity and the empowerment of women and girls in terms of sanitation.
  • The National Guidelines for the Management of Menstrual Hygiene:
    The Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation released it in 2015.
    It aims to address all aspects of menstruation hygiene, including behavior modification, awareness-raising,
  • Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (2019): Offers low-cost sanitary napkins, but distribution challenges persist, especially in rural areas.

Socio-Cultural Barriers: Addressing Stigma

  • Deep-rooted socio-cultural beliefs associating menstruation with impurity hinder open conversations, particularly between mothers and daughters.
  • 70% of mothers consider menstruation ‘dirty,’ impacting menstrual education and awareness.

Impact of COVID-19 on Menstrual Equity

  • The pandemic exacerbated menstrual inequity, with a significant reduction in the consumption of safe period products, especially in areas with strict quarantine measures.
  • Rural areas witnessed a more substantial decline in product consumption, highlighting the disproportionate impact.

Consequences of Menstrual Inequity

  • Despite some progress, around half of Indian women still use unsafe menstrual management methods, posing health risks.
  • Increased use of hygienic practices but continued reliance on unsafe methods indicate the persistence of challenges.

Steps Suggested :

  • Promotion of Menstrual Cups:
    • Menstrual cups offer cost-effective, sustainable, and eco-friendly alternatives to sanitary napkins.
    • Despite their benefits, they face skepticism and require increased promotion and education.
  • Telemedicine Services for Menstrual Health:
    • Telemedicine platforms enable remote access to specialized healthcare professionals.
    • Video consultations provide personalized guidance and support for menstrual hygiene, overcoming geographical barriers.
  • Community-Based Peer Education Programs:
    • Innovative peer education programs engage local communities to combat stigma surrounding menstruation.
    • Women and girls are trained as menstrual hygiene ambassadors to promote awareness and education.
  • Robust Waste Disposal Solutions:
    • Safe disposal of sanitary napkins faces challenges and misconceptions.
    • IoT technology can facilitate smart toilets equipped with sensors for detecting and disposing of menstrual waste efficiently.
  • Construction of Smart Toilets:
    • Smart toilets offer real-time feedback on hygiene practices and monitor menstrual product supply levels.
    • They can send alerts for maintenance and restocking, improving menstrual hygiene infrastructure.
  • Awareness Campaigns:
    • Initiatives like mobile apps, interactive websites, and voice-based information systems disseminate culturally appropriate information on menstrual health.
    • Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) technologies create immersive learning experiences for menstrual health education.
  • Utilization of AR and VR Technologies:
    • Virtual simulations and scenarios teach proper hygiene practices and address myths and misconceptions surrounding menstruation.
    • AR and VR enhance engagement and understanding, contributing to improved menstrual health outcomes.

Conclusion:

  • Achieving menstrual equity requires a multifaceted approach, including making menstrual hygiene products more accessible and affordable.
  • Breaking the silence surrounding menstruation and addressing socio-cultural barriers are crucial steps towards achieving lasting change.
  • Example –Scotland has achieved a historic milestone by enacting the Period Products Act, making it the first nation to legally ensure free access to period products for all individuals.

Source:Business Line

Mains Practice Question :

GS-3

“Discuss the challenges and initiatives in achieving menstrual equity, with a focus on India. What are the socio-cultural barriers contributing to menstrual inequity, and how can they be addressed.” (250 words)