Question : Menstrual Health

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

(a) whether any steps have been taken by the Government towards improvement in the menstrual health of women in rural areas of the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof during the last three years;

(c) if not, the reasons therefor;

(d) whether there is any proposal to involve NGOs and other private organizations working in this direction and to provide them encouragement and support from the Government in this regard; and

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

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

(a) to (c): Yes. To improve the menstrual health among adolescent girls, Government of India is supporting the States/UTs through National Health Mission in their Program Implementation Plans for decentralized procurement of Sanitary napkins packs. The scheme encompasses the following:
• Increasing awareness among adolescent girls on menstrual hygiene
• Improving access to and use of high quality sanitary napkins by adolescent girls residing in rural areas
• Scheme is also being implemented in the urban areas with roll out in selected cities of 15 States in the first phase.
• Ensuring safe disposal of sanitary napkins in an environmentally friendly manner.
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• Provision of funds to ASHAs to hold monthly meetings with adolescents to discuss issues related to menstrual hygiene.
(d) & (e): No. Government of India is providing NHM funds to States/UTs through Program Implementation Plans for decentralized procurement of Sanitary napkins and IEC-BCC activities. Health being a State subject, involvement of NGOs or any private organization to support the activities hence remains the decision of the State/UTs.
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