Round Table on Menstrual Hygiene and Use of Sanitary Napkins among Adolescent Girls – Way Forward 24th September 2010 Maternal and Child Health Community

Insights from the discussion on Use of Sanitary Napkins in Rural Areas Is there a need for sanitary napkins in villages? What has been your experience regarding the status of menstrual hygiene in villages? Which one is better – a sanitary napkin or cloth and should sanitary napkins be offered to the village women and girls? What different methods of disposal of sanitary napkins can be used at the village level? What Questions were asked?

What Came Out of the Discussion? Debate over Traditional v/s Modern method continues Mothers perceive menstruation as dirty and pass on the same feeling onto adolescent daughters. Addressing needs of Adolescent girls for ensuring menstrual hygiene is required

Hygiene Issues if cloth is used Disposal Issues if Napkin is used Availability is an Issue Quality Unanimous view that Production of sanitary napkins can be a good livelihood option for SHG women SHG involvement will link up livelihood with health Contd….

Cloth? Social taboos in washing, drying and storing cloth Limited supply of cotton cloth in household Inadequate supply of Water Limited Privacy How to achieve hygienic menstrual practices?

Use of Sanitary Napkins? Disposal? Affordability? How to achieve behaviour change?

Determinants of Practices adopted during Menstruation What is the behaviour? Traditional methods adopted by the mother What is easily available? What is accessible? What is the cost involved? Many thanks to all who contributed to this query!

Announcement of GOI Scheme Rs. 150 Crore Scheme to promote menstrual hygiene 150 districts i.e ¼ of the country Pack of Six Sanitary napkins to BPL girls at Rs. 1 and to APL girls at Rs. 5. Scheme will ensure environment friendly disposal of napkins Role of ASHAs in supplying sanitary napkins Initially Supply of Napkins will be by SHGs and Suppliers