GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 1322
TO BE ANSWERED ON 09/02/2024
ILLNESS DUE TO LACK OF MENSTRUAL HYGIENE PRODUCTS
1322. SHRI ABHISHEK BANERJEE:

Will the Minister of HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state;

(a) whether the Government has data on the number of menstruating women in the rural areas who have continued access to menstrual hygiene products in 2023;
(b) if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise and if not, the reasons therefor;
(c) whether the Government has data on illnesses caused by the lack of menstrual hygiene products in 2023; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
(DR. BHARATI PRAVIN PAWAR)

(a) to (d) Data related to the numbers of menstruating women in the rural areas who have continued access to menstrual hygiene products and data on illnesses caused by the lack of menstrual hygiene products are not centrally maintained. However, the National Family Health Survey-5 (2019-21), shows that percentage of women aged 15-24 years using hygienic method of protection during their menstrual period has increased from 57.6 % in NFHS-4 (2015-16) to 77.3% in NFHS-5. Similarly, the usage of Sanitary Napkins has also increased from 42% to 64%.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare implements the ‘Scheme for Promotion of Menstrual Hygiene’ under Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK) to reach out all adolescents girls in the age group of 10-19 years. The objectives of the scheme are to increase awareness among adolescent girls on menstrual hygiene, to increase access to and use of high quality sanitary napkins by adolescent girls and to ensure safe disposal of sanitary napkins in an environmentally friendly manner.

The ASHA workers promote of the scheme and distributing the sanitary napkin packs at a subsidized rate of Rs. 6/- for a pack of 6 napkins and arranging monthly meetings with the adolescent girls in their area to deliberate on varies health issues including menstrual hygiene management. Under Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP), Government has launched Jan Aushadhi Suvidha Sanitary Napkins at Rs. 1/- per pad for women to ensure easy availability of the menstrual health services at affordable prices.