Redefining menstrual hygiene with sustainability and women’s empowerment in mind

Menstruation is a natural process in the lives of millions of girls, women and gender-diverse persons. On any particular day, more than 300 million females across the world undergo this process. With the start of menstruation, a new phase of challenges and vulnerabilities begins in the lives of adolescent girls as the process is considered ‘unclean’ in many cultures.

Multiple implications of menstrual misconceptions

Many young girls confront stigma, social exclusion and harassment during menstruation. Additionally, cultural taboos, gender equality and poverty all ensure they are deprived of access to the required facilities (toilets) and materials (sanitary pads) due to which their menstrual health needs are unmet. 

For millions of women, it leads to far-reaching consequences, restricting their mobility and personal freedom. For example, girls’ attendance in school and women’s at the workplace can be affected. To manage menstruation safely and effectively, women need access to water, sanitation and hygiene facilities, appropriate and affordable sanitary pads, information on good practices and a conducive environment where menstruation can be managed without fear, stigma or embarrassment.

Lack of proper information about menstruation has resulted in societal taboos and discrimination. This has led to unhealthy and unhygienic menstrual practices that generate more misconceptions and negative perceptions. In turn, this can trigger bullying, shaming and gender-based violence.

The above scenario highlights why the multi-dimensional challenges menstruating women face need multi-sectoral interventions. In essence, it requires a holistic approach combining collaborative and multi-faceted solutions such as the spread of information, education of the masses, creation of appropriate infrastructure and production of menstrual products as well as the establishment of a conducive policy environment to promote proper menstrual health and hygiene. Failure to do so can have major health, gender equality, economic and environmental consequences.

In the case of health, if girls can access safe and affordable sanitary napkins to manage menstruation, it reduces their risk of infections. This has a beneficial impact on their overall sexual and reproductive health, which includes a reduction in teen pregnancies, fertility and maternal outcomes. On the other hand, poor menstrual hygiene poses severe health risks, which include reproductive and urinary tract infections. These could lead to birth complications and future infertility.

Coming to gender equality, the promotion of menstrual health is crucial for protecting the dignity, privacy, self-esteem and bodily integrity of women.

As for the economic impact, providing women access to affordable menstrual materials can improve their access to education and open more avenues for work, promotions and entrepreneurship. In this way, women can play a meaningful role in contributing to the overall economy, rather than being confined at home. Moreover, it must be noted that, as a multibillion-dollar segment, feminine hygiene products can generate income for millions and boost economic growth if leveraged properly.

Similarly, the environmental impact is also significant. A major amount of global waste is generated by disposable sanitary products. However, the environment would benefit tremendously if girls and women were provided with sustainable and quality sanitary products that improve the management and disposal of menstrual items.

Annually, around 150 kg of non-biodegradable waste is dumped by the average woman. In India itself, approximately 121 million girls and women use eight disposable, non-compostable pads every month on average. This generates 1.021 billion pad waste each month, 12.3 billion pad waste annually and 113,000 metric tons of yearly menstrual waste.

How hygienic, affordable sanitary pads can help

Fortunately, safe, hygienic and affordable sanitary napkins are available throughout the country today. However, it is imperative to create mass awareness about menstruation before girls attain puberty. This is necessary as most girls across South Asia reportedly remain unaware of menstruation when they have their first period. Indeed, some girls in India quit school after they begin menstruating because of the social stigma and lack of basic hygiene facilities and products that could allow them to attend school without embarrassment.

Given the lack of information about menstruation, many schoolgirls have used unhygienic options such as rags, tissue paper, cotton wool, pieces of mattress and blankets in place of sanitary pads.

Considering the situation, a holistic approach that combines education to eradicate social taboos and stigma along with proper sanitation infrastructure and affordable sanitary products are all essential to ensure girls and women safeguard their dignity and health via hygienic menstruation practices. By integrating quality, sustainability and affordability in the production of sanitary napkins, women can be empowered and emancipated from centuries of misconceptions regarding menstruation.

(The writer is the CEO and Founder of SuperBottoms)