Menstrual Health and Hygiene in India

The Supreme Court of India has mandated the nationwide implementation of the Union government's Menstrual Hygiene Policy for school girls in classes 6 to 12. This initiative emphasizes the provision of better toilets, privacy, and accessibility of sanitary napkins in schools across both urban and rural areas, marking a significant step towards ensuring the right to life and dignity for young girls.

History and Advertising of Sanitary Napkins in India

• In 1979, P S Viswanathan from Johnson & Johnson highlighted the potential acceptance of sanitary napkins in urban India, particularly with discreet packaging.
• During the Doordarshan era, sanitary napkin advertisements were restricted to post-10 pm slots, despite other products like condoms receiving prime time slots.
• Advertising restrictions also included the prohibition of using the color red to depict menstrual flow, leading to the use of blue ink in commercials.
• Recent trends show brands like Stayfree and Thinx challenging these taboos and attempting to normalize the conversation around menstruation.

Innovations and Entrepreneurship in Menstrual Products

• The story of Arunachalam Muruganantham, known for making affordable sanitary napkins, inspired the movie "Padman."
• IIT engineers have formed Saral Design to create effective sanitary napkins and democratize production through innovative machines.
• The menstrual cup brand Sirona works to overcome resistance and educate consumers, similar to challenges faced by early sanitary napkin brands.

Economic and Social Impact

Ensuring menstrual hygiene is crucial for encouraging girls to complete their education, which is integral to bringing more women into the workforce and sustaining India's growth. This requires a shift in societal mindsets, involving both men and women in the conversation to drive change.

Conclusion

The recent Supreme Court ruling represents an essential step towards practical implementation, and it is now up to the administration to ensure effective execution across the country. Addressing menstrual health is not solely a female issue; it demands inclusive societal involvement for meaningful progress.