GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 1348
TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.02.2024
NATIONAL MENSTRUAL HYGIENE POLICY
1348. SHRI T.N. PRATHAPAN:

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

(a) the details regarding the progress made towards National Menstrual Hygiene Policy in the country;
(b) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to ensure access to sanitary pads and other menstrual hygiene facilities in schools;
(c) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to ensure access to menstrual hygiene facilities to vulnerable urban populations and in formal/ informal worksites in the country;
(d) the steps taken/proposed to be taken to address the disparity among States in menstrual hygiene practices among rural adolescent women; and
(e) whether the Government has taken measures to bridge the gap & affecting menstrual healthcare among the female incarcerated population in the country?

ANSWER

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

(a) to (e)Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has formulated draft Menstrual Hygiene Policy (MHP) with consultation of all stakeholders. The draft MHP envisages comprehensive support through the entire menstrual journey, recognizing the unique needs of individuals from menarche to menopause with specific focus on prioritizing underserved and vulnerable populations, ensuring equitable access to menstrual hygiene resources and addressing their specific needs. The policy intents to serves as a catalyst to raise awareness, challenge societal norms and foster a society that embraces menstrual hygiene as a natural and normal part of life. The aim is to promote the health, well-being and empowerment of individuals who menstruate.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare implements the ‘Scheme for Promotion of Menstrual Hygiene’ to promote Menstrual Hygiene among adolescent girls in the age group of 10-19 years. The funds are sanctioned based on the proposals received from the States/UTs in their Programme Implementation Plan (PIP) under National Health Mission. The major 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 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.