'Awareness about menstrual hygiene increased in 5 yrs'

The awareness about menstrual hygiene is increasing even among the girls in the rural areas. Thanks to the state government’s ‘Suchi’ programme that has so far enrolled 18 lakh school and college going students since 2014.

According to Dr V Veena, deputy director, Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK), also in-charge of Suchi scheme, in the past five years, the awareness about menstrual hygiene has increased.

“After introducing free sanitary pads to school and college going girls, the demand for pads has increased. It is not just about educating personal hygiene, myth attached to the menstrual cycle is also being cleared through awareness,” she added.

Dr Veena said the focus of the scheme was school and college students. The government is spending about Rs 49 crore annually in procuring sanitary pads.

It is being disposed of as municipal solid waste at the moment.

However, in urban areas, many women opting tampons and menstrual cups instead of conventional pads.

According to a report by UNICEF, although a lot has been spoken about menstrual hygiene, about 60% of women have been diagnosed with some kind of urinary tract infection or bacterial vaginosis. This is due to either using a wrong absorbent or unhygienic practices.

According to a market study, with the release of the movie Padman release, the future of the feminine hygiene market has received a sudden boost and is expected to reach 522 million dollars in 2020.