Question : Menstrual Health

(a) whether any steps have been taken by the Government towards improvement in the menstrual health and empowerment of women in the rural areas of the country in the last three years;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(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
MINISTER OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
(SHRIMATI SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a)to(e):Government of India is implementing the Menstrual Hygiene Scheme since 2011. It provides funds to the States/UTs to support implementation of the programme for Adolescent Girls (aged 10-19 years) as per proposals received from them in their Annual Programme Implementation Plans. The scheme encompasses:

• Increasing awareness among adolescent girls on menstrual hygienemanagement.
• Improved access to and use ofhigh quality sanitary napkins by adolescent girls residing in ruralareas.
• Ensuring safe disposal of sanitary napkins in an environmentally friendlymanner.
• Provision of funds to ASHA to hold monthly meetings with adolescents to discuss issues related to menstrual hygiene.
Government of India is providing National Health Mission 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 States/UTs.

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