GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION 3596
TO BE ANSWERED ON 21ST MARCH 2025
MENSTRUAL HYGIENE POLICY, 2024
3596. SHRI GAURAV GOGOI:

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

a) the specific measures taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to ensure the effective implementation of the Menstrual Hygiene Policy, 2024 especially in rural and marginalized areas;
(b) the manner in which the Government ensures the availability of adequate menstrual hygiene facilities in schools, colleges and workplaces;
(c) the details of budget allocation for the implementation of the Menstrual Hygiene Policy 2024;
(d) the timeline fixed for the implementation of various components of the said policy; and
(e) the specific measures taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to address the needs of marginalized and vulnerable groups, such as adolescent girls, sex workers, and women with disabilities in the country?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
(SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)

(a) to (e) The Government implements the Menstrual Hygiene Scheme (MHS) under the National Health Mission (NHM) to promote menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls in the age group of 10-19 years. The objectives of the scheme include increase in awareness among adolescent girls on menstrual hygiene, improved access to and use of sanitary napkins by adolescent girls and create awareness on safe disposal of sanitary napkins in an environmentally friendly manner. The Scheme is implemented across the entire country to cover adolescent girls and is supported by National Health Mission through State Programme Implementation Plan (PIP) route based on the proposals received from the States/UTs.
Information Education and Communication material developed by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare creates awareness on healthy practices during menstruation and safe disposal of menstrual hygiene products. The Menstrual Hygiene Policy for School Going girls focusses on availability and accessibility of safe and low-cost menstrual hygiene products in all Government and Government-aided schools for girls. The policy is applicable to the entire country and the associated line Ministries Departments of Central and State Governments. The Policy incorporates aspects of access to clean, gender-segregated toilets and adequate washing and disposal facilities in Government and Government-aided schools, ensuring that girls can manage their menstruation safely, hygienically, and with dignity. Further, it addresses important aspects as sustainable and environment friendly menstrual waste disposal practices
in schools, such as the use of menstrual waste bins/receptacles, deep burial, or other safe methods by establishing functional linkages with relevant departments and collaboration with local authorities to streamline menstrual waste management The policy has incorporated inputs following detailed deliberations with the line Ministries as Education, Women and Child Development, Jal Shakti, Home Affairs, Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Pollution Control Board/Bodies, Chemical and Fertilizers, Consumer Affairs, Rural and Urban Development and all States and Union Territories. It is synchronized with the existing schemes for effective implementation taking into consideration the various aspects of menstrual hygiene management.