(a) Whether any steps taken by the Government towards improvement in menstrual health during the last three years;
(b) If so, the details thereof and if not the reasons thereof
(c) The details of the programme being implemented by the Government for education to destigmatize menstrual hygiene
(d) The steps taken by the Government to ensure accessibility of the menstrual products to girls and women; and
(e) Total proportion of sanitary products distributed through ASHA workers , State wise?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
(DR. BHARATI PRAVIN PAWAR)
(a) to (c): Yes, the Government has taken steady steps towards improvement in menstrual health during the last three years.
The Scheme for Promotion of Menstrual Hygiene among adolescent girls in the age group of 10-19 years is implemented by the Government since 2011. The major objectives of the scheme are:
i) To increase awareness among adolescent girls on Menstrual Hygiene
ii) To increase access to and use of high quality sanitary napkins by adolescent girls.
iii) To ensure safe disposal of sanitary napkins in an environmentally friendly manner.
Since 2015-16, the Menstrual Hygiene Scheme is supported by National Health Mission through State Programme Implementation Plan (PIP) route based on the proposals received from the States. States/UTs have decentralized procurement of sanitary napkins for ensuring quality standards.
Communication material targeted at adolescent girls, their gatekeepers, influencers and community at large developed by MoHFW, other partner ministries, States, Development Partners and NGOs is in use to create awareness on healthy practices during menstruation and to dispel the myths and misconception around it. Capacity building of the health functionaries is also supported to decrease the stigma of menstruation.
Menstrual Hygiene Scheme covered adolescent girls in 21 States/UTs with provision of Rs. 208 Crore to the States under NHM for decentralized procurement of sanitary napkins in the past three years. Total 1.14 Cr girls have received sanitary napkins during Apr – Sept 2021(HMIS)
The National Family Health Survey (NFHS5) carried out in 2019-21 as compared to NFHS 4 (2015-16) has shown a marked improvement in access to safe menstrual hygiene products for women aged 15-24 years, rising to 77.3% as compared to 57.6% earlier.
(d) Government took steps to ensure accessibility of menstrual products by the adolescent girls. Under the scheme a pack of sanitary napkins are being provided to adolescent girls by the Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA). Fot this the ASHA herself receives pack for her own use. Government also provides budget to the States/UTs for Orientation of field level health workers and IEC activities for menstrual hygiene
(e) Total number of adolescent girls provided sanitary napkins by ASHAs across the States and UTs is placed in the Annexure.