Menstrual Hygiene in Indian Prisons

Context

On World Menstrual Hygiene Day which is celebrated annually on 28 May, a recent report highlights menstrual hygiene in Indian Prisons.

Progress in Menstrual Hygiene: India has seen notable advancements in menstrual hygiene management. According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS 2019-2020), approximately 80% of adolescent girls aged 15-24 now utilize safe menstrual products.
Disparity in Menstrual Hygiene in Indian Prisons: Despite progress in urban regions and specific demographics, women in Indian prisons continue to face neglect.
- In a societal context where basic rights for prisoners are often denied, female inmates experience additional challenges due to entrenched biases that question women’s capacity to commit crimes.

Right to health: Women and girls may experience negative health consequences when they lack the supplies and facilities to manage their menstrual health.
Right to education: Lack of a safe place or ability to manage menstrual hygiene as well as lack of medication to treat menstruation-related pain can all contribute to higher rates of school absenteeism and poor educational outcome
Right to work: Poor access to safe means of managing menstrual hygiene and lack of medication to treat menstruation-related disorders or pain also limit job opportunities for women and girls.
Right to non-discrimination and gender equality : Stigmas and norms related to menstruation can reinforce discriminatory practices.
Right to water and sanitation: Water and sanitation facilities, such as bathing facilities, that are private, safe and culturally acceptable, along with a sufficient, safe and affordable water supply are basic prerequisites for managing menstrual health management.

Menstrual Hygiene in Indian Prisons: In Indian prisons, there are 23,772 women, with 77% falling within the reproductive age group and likely to menstruate regularly.
Challenges in Providing Adequate Facilities: Despite the recommendations outlined in the 2016 Model Prison Manual, numerous states have failed to furnish adequate water and restroom facilities for female inmates.
- Overcrowding and substandard conditions further exacerbate the difficulty for women in accessing essential items such as water, sanitary napkins, detergent, and soap during menstruation.
Conditions of Prisons: In a Maharashtra prison, a study conducted in 2023 uncovered inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities, compelling women to store water and utilize limited toilets collectively.
- Consequently, this scenario resulted in increased occurrences of urinary infections and challenges in upholding menstrual hygiene.
Inadequate Sanitary Napkins: Prisons often depend on NGOs for donations of sanitary napkins, which can sometimes lead to the distribution of inferior products.
- In one instance, each woman received only one set of reusable napkins, which proved impractical due to limited access to water and detergent.

SABLA Scheme: The SABLA program, initiated by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, addresses nutrition, health, hygiene, and reproductive and sexual health, connecting them with rural mother and child care centers.
National Rural Livelihood Mission:The National Rural Livelihood Mission, under the Ministry of Rural Development, aids self-help groups and small-scale manufacturers in producing sanitary pads.
National Guidelines for Menstrual Hygiene Management: Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation under Swachh Bharat Abhiyan released the National Guidelines on Menstrual Hygiene Management in 2015.
- They encompass various aspects such as awareness-raising, behavior change, demand generation for hygiene products, capacity building for frontline workers, stakeholder sensitization, convergence efforts for effective interventions, and the establishment of WASH facilities with safe disposal options.
Suvidha Sanitary Napkins : Jan Aushadhi Suvidha Sanitary Napkins are accessible at Jan Aushadhi Kendras across India at a subsidized rate of Rs. 1/- per pad.It is an initiative under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP).

Ensuring Menstrual Hygiene Standards in Prisons: The Indian government must enforce basic menstrual hygiene standards for women in prisons.
- Immediate action is needed to address the inconsistent implementation of the Model Prison Manual 2016, ensuring all states adhere to its recommendations.
Public Health Priority: Addressing menstrual hygiene in prisons should be viewed as a public health priority and a crucial step in combating ‘period poverty.’
Collaborative Strategy: Prison administrators and public health authorities must work together to create a comprehensive plan to ensure incarcerated women have access to adequate menstrual hygiene products and facilities, prioritizing their health and dignity.
- Further research is necessary to understand the current state of menstrual hygiene in prisons.

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