Menstruation-related issues among school girls must be addressed : NGO

A global health NGO has established a link between proving proper sanitation and disposal system for menstruation to school girls to ensure good attendance during periods
A global health NGO has suggested more rigorous research to help the school girls raise their voice for a proper menstruation system, in turn stressing the fact that majority of girls skip school when they have their periods. The NGO has further stated that a global level, studies linking use of effective menstrual care products and girls' school attendance have generated varied results, clearly endorsing the fact that voices of girls should be included while designing these systems.

Citing reasons such as poor sanitation systems and lack of information on proper disposal, along with inadequate hand- washing and waste disposal bins are clear barriers to limit a girl's ability to manage menstruation in school in India; the NGO spokesperson has reiterated the fact why a proper research should be immediately put in place.
"In some parts of India girls are forbidden to touch food or sleep in the house when they're menstruating. Lack of sanitation facilities can put girls at risk when needing to manage menstruation in the open. As a result, girls miss out on a host of opportunities, limiting their participation in their own development and that of their communities too," senior program officer of PATH (Devices and Tools) Nancy Muller told PTI.

Hailing Uttar Pradesh government's recent decision to distribute free sanitary napkins to all girls in state-run schools, she said that the "move" could be an exciting model for other states of India as well as other countries.

"The move is certainly highly commendable. It gives a truly important message about the importance of educating girls, and can be seen as an exciting model for other states in India and elsewhere.

"However, for the same procuring large quantities of menstrual hygiene products for low-income girls and women and identifying selection criteria is also important, both to ensure the proper usage of the product and to maximise government investments," she said.