Social Workers fighting for the Menstrual Justice of women

With the growing female population in India, menstrual justice of women should be considered seriously. However, menstruation is considered as a few days' period problem for women and menstrual hygiene is often neglected. Menstrual health is a public health and human rights issue. Menstrual justice should be at the heart of health and gender equity interventions for social workers. Menstrual hygiene management (MHM) plays a crucial role in the overall well-being of women and girls.

Access to affordable and sustainable menstrual hygiene products, along with education and awareness, is essential for promoting good menstrual health and hygiene. Social workers have a significant role to play in addressing period poverty and promoting sustainable menstruation practices. This article explores the role of social workers in promoting menstrual hygiene management in India, focusing on the initiatives, challenges, and impact of the interventions and also presents a case study of a non-profit organization ASHAY SOCIAL GROUP, India, and how it intervenes with the MHM and helping the nation to achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs).

Introduction

Menstrual Hygiene Management is fundamental to the equality, rights, and dignity of all individuals who menstruate. Nonetheless, menstrual health is still not considered a priority by all. Menstrual hygiene management (MHM) is an essential aspect of women's health and well-being. Access to affordable and sustainable menstrual hygiene products, along with education and awareness, is essential for promoting good menstrual health and hygiene. In developing countries like India, where menstrual hygiene is often neglected, social workers have a significant role to play in addressing period poverty and promoting sustainable menstruation practices. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) recognize the significance of MHM in achieving gender equality, health, and environmental sustainability. In this context, social workers have emerged as key advocates and facilitators in promoting sustainable menstrual practices. This article explores the role of social workers in promoting the use of menstrual cups as a sustainable solution for menstruation.

Growing female population in India

In 2022, the female population for India was 685 million persons. Female population of India increased from 287 million persons in 1973 to 685 million persons in 2022 growing at an average annual rate of 1.79%. Around 40-crore menstruating women population are in India. Not just in India, all over the world, menstrual hygiene management (MHM) has remained a major challenge for women, more so in rural areas which comes with additional challenges of improper access to clean water, sanitation facilities and sanitary napkins.

Menstruation is a biological and natural process (Biran et al,2012). However, in many countries, it is associated with cultural and social constraints for women. The cultural stereotypes, societal taboos, inadequate health education and poverty that pervade the society have only acted to reinforce gender inequality which have even led to systematic public health issues. A reproductive tract infection, which has become a silent epidemic that devastates women's life, is closely interrelated with poor menstrual hygiene (Dasgupta, A., & Sarkar, M, 2008). Therefore, proper menstrual hygiene, beliefs and the right perceptions can protect women from this suffering. There is a growing necessity to address women's needs to manage their menstrual hygiene privately and conveniently, and hence guidance and training to girls and women on MHM education has to be provided and the government has to coordinate with grass root level NGO and delivery systems to ensure equity and inclusion in sanitation.

The Importance of Menstrual Hygiene Management

According to the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP), for women and girls to be able to manage their menstruation hygienically, they must have access to:

"…clean menstrual management material to absorb or collect menstrual blood, that can be changed in privacy as often as necessary for the duration of a menstrual MONTH, using soap and water for washing the body as required, and having access to safe and convenient facilities to dispose of used menstrual management materials."

Achieving good menstrual health is not just a matter of ensuring access to menstrual products but also relies on individuals having the resources they need to participate fully in all spheres of life during their menstrual cycle (Van Eijk AM et al,2016). Menstrual hygiene management has far-reaching implications for women's health, education, and overall development. Proper menstrual hygiene practices are essential to prevent infections, maintain good reproductive health, and ensure dignity and well-being during menstruation. Moreover, addressing menstrual hygiene is closely linked to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being and SDG 6 Clean Water and Sanitation. By promoting menstrual hygiene management, social workers contribute to achieving these global goals and fostering SDG 5 gender equality.

Menstrual Hygiene Challenges in India

Every month, 1.8 billion people across the world menstruate (Rohatgi A, 2023). Millions of these girls, women, transgender men and non-binary persons are unable to manage their menstrual cycle in a dignified, healthy way. In India, menstrual hygiene management faces numerous challenges, particularly in rural and marginalized communities. Lack of awareness, limited access to affordable sustainable menstrual products, inadequate sanitation facilities, Disposal of menstrual waste and cultural taboos surrounding menstruation are some of the key barriers that women and girls face. The consequences of inadequate menstrual hygiene management are severe, leading to health issues, school absenteeism, and limited opportunities for women's empowerment. Menstruation education is often lacking, both for women and men, contributing to stigma and a lack of supportive environments. Social workers recognize these challenges and strive to address them through innovative interventions. Gender inequality, cultural taboos and poverty can cause menstrual health needs to go unmet.

Sustainable menstruation- Moving beyond commercially disposable sanitary pads

"A report estimates that a woman generates around 14.1 kg of non-biodegradable waste in a lifetime if she uses commercially manufactured disposable sanitary pads. On the other hand, if she uses menstrual cups she will generate 0.06 kg of non-biodegradable waste. This reduces the generation of total non-biodegradable waste by 99% and is an example of a win-win intervention that is good for the environment (SDG 13 Climate action) and good for health and hygiene (SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being). Menstrual cups are practical, hygienic, and cost-effective. More and more women need to know about them and myths around their use need to be busted"
said Dr Soumya Swaminathan.

The Role of Social Workers in Promoting MHM to advance the SDGs:

Social workers play a crucial role in promoting menstrual hygiene management in India through various initiatives. They work closely with communities, government agencies, and non-profit organizations to create awareness, provide access to menstrual products, and break the silence surrounding menstruation. By addressing the social, cultural, and economic aspects of menstrual hygiene, social workers contribute to sustainable change and improved well-being for women and girls, and sustainable development of the nation.

1. Awareness and Education Programs: One of the primary roles of social workers in promoting MHM is conducting awareness and education programs. These programs aim to debunk myths, provide accurate information about menstruation, and promote positive attitudes towards menstruation. Social workers engage with schools, communities, and women's groups to deliver comprehensive menstrual health education, emphasizing the importance of hygiene, safe absorbents, and proper disposal practices.
2. Capacity Building and Training Social workers also focus on capacity building and training of frontline health workers, teachers, and community leaders. By equipping these individuals with knowledge and skills related to menstrual hygiene management, social workers create a ripple effect, reaching a larger population. Training programs cover topics such as menstrual health, safe absorbent use, disposal practices, and addressing taboos and stigma surrounding menstruation.
3. Innovative Distribution Models: Social workers are at the forefront of developing innovative distribution models for menstrual products, ensuring affordability and accessibility. Organizations like Ashay Social Group, Myna Mahila Foundation in India leverage social entrepreneurship to produce and distribute affordable, high-quality menstrual material within communities. They empower women by creating sustainable livelihood opportunities and promoting menstrual hygiene simultaneously.
4. Advocacy and Collaboration: Social workers actively engage in advocacy and policy influence to bring about systemic change in menstrual hygiene management. They collaborate with government agencies, NGOs, and international organizations to develop and implement policies that prioritize menstrual health.

For instance, Shuchi Scheme was launched, which is an initiative of the government of Karnataka in India, to provide schoolgirls with Free sanitary napkins. The program, which aims to educate individuals on menstrual hygiene and provide females with sanitary products. But It has been suspended for three years since the Covid pandemic. Social workers have to use advocacy and social research to intervene in such situations. Social workers raise awareness about the importance of menstrual hygiene management among policymakers, advocating for budget allocation, infrastructure development, and inclusion of MHM in school curricula.

Case Study Success Story of Ashay Social Group:

ASHAY SOCIAL GROUP is a non profit organization founded in 2015, started working on a sustainable menstruation project of designing and distributing RUTU Cup and Rutu Cloth Pad at affordable price. So far Ashay Social group has made a difference to more than 75000+ women's lives. Awareness and promotion of hygienic, healthy, sustainable menstruation options including menstrual cups and cloth pads. As a social worker with specific knowledge, Ms. Seema designed the menstrual cup. Ashay Social Group has trained 50,000+ people to make their own cloth pads by reusing household clothes and taking proper hygiene precautions.

For the past seven years, Ashay Social Group has been creating awareness campaigns in schools, colleges, Government and Corporate offices, among Mahila mandals, Househelps, Anganwadi Sevikas, Sportspersons, visually challenged, physically challenged, rural women and also doctors.

'MAKE OUR OWN CLOTH PADS' project is aimed at helping the women to help themselves to make their own cloth pads who can't afford to buy Period Cups. Awareness and training sessions are organized to make cloth pads with available resources like old saree and dupattas. Collaborating with schools, colleges, NGOs, several workshops have been conducted. Few of those who got trained in making cloth pads also started their own MSME (Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises) of making cloth pads for their Livelihood, SDG8 Decent work and economic growth

The efforts of social worker, Ms Seema Khandale in promoting menstrual hygiene management have resulted in significant impact and success in MHM. The intervention programs have shown improvements in knowledge, practices, and access to menstrual products among women and girls. These positive outcomes demonstrate the effectiveness of social work interventions in improving menstrual hygiene practices.

Challenges and the Way Forward:

While social workers have made significant strides in promoting menstrual hygiene management, several challenges remain. Limited funding, inadequate infrastructure, and persistent cultural taboos pose obstacles to sustainable change. Social workers need to adapt their strategies and find innovative solutions to overcome these hurdles.

Also social work education should include Public Health Modules with Menstrual Hygiene Management which is contributing to several SDGs. Public health Social specialization may be considered as the future of social work. Recent changes in healthcare, demand more emphasis on preventive healthcare and integrated healthcare and wellness services. The ability of the public health social worker to bridge prevention and intervention, individual and community, and practice and policy will be increasingly valued by our changing society.

Moving forward, it is crucial to continue strengthening collaborations between social workers, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. By working together, they can amplify their impact, share best practices, and advocate for comprehensive policies that prioritize menstrual hygiene management. Additionally, integrating menstrual hygiene education into school curricula and ensuring access to affordable and sustainable menstrual products are essential steps towards achieving widespread menstrual health and hygiene.

Conclusion

Menstrual Hygiene Management Project is directly influencing SDG goals like SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being, SDG 6 Clean Water and Sanitation, SDG 5 gender equality and by choosing sustainable menstruation it is contributing to SDG 13 Climate action, and also by involving women in making the sustainable menstrual material it is also contributing to SDG8 Decent work and economic growth

Thus Social workers play a vital role in promoting menstrual hygiene management in India. Through their awareness programs, innovative distribution models, capacity building efforts, and advocacy work, social workers are driving positive change in menstrual health and hygiene. By addressing the social, cultural, and economic barriers, social workers are empowering women and girls, improving health outcomes, and contributing to sustainable development. With continued collaboration and innovation, social workers can create a future where menstrual hygiene is no longer a barrier to women's well-being and empowerment.

References

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