Menstruation is a natural biological process, yet in many parts of India, it becomes a critical reason why girls miss school, underperform academically, or drop out entirely. The intersection of poor sanitation, deep-rooted stigma, lack of menstrual education, and financial constraints creates what we now recognize as period poverty—a silent but powerful barrier in the path of girls’ education.
Lack of Access to Sanitary Products Directly Impacts Attendance
One of the most visible effects of period poverty is school absenteeism. Studies show that 23% of girls drop out of school when they reach puberty. This dropout rate correlates directly with their inability to manage menstruation at school due to the unavailability of affordable and hygienic sanitary products.
According to the NFHS-5 survey (2019–21), around 30% of rural women in India still do not have access to sanitary napkins or similar products. This not only affects their health but also means many of them resort to unhygienic alternatives such as rags, ash, or even leaves—which cause discomfort, infections, and embarrassment, ultimately pushing them away from school.
Inadequate WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) Infrastructure in Schools
Even if sanitary pads are accessible, many schools in rural and semi-urban India lack the basic facilities needed for menstrual hygiene management. Government data reveals that countless schools either don’t have separate girls’ toilets or lack clean water, privacy, or disposal systems for used sanitary products.
The absence of proper facilities means girls are often forced to stay at home during their periods, missing 3–5 days of school every month. Over time, this adds up to significant learning loss—creating a performance gap between boys and girls. This discourages continued attendance and lowers overall educational outcomes.
Menstruation Is Still Wrapped in Shame and Secrecy
Cultural taboos surrounding menstruation are still rampant in many Indian communities. A majority of girls report having no prior knowledge of menstruation before their first period, leading to feelings of fear, confusion, and shame. In some areas, menstruating girls are prohibited from entering kitchens, places of worship, or even sleeping in the same room as their families.
These regressive beliefs don’t just affect confidence—they reinforce a sense of impurity and restrict girls’ participation in both school and social life. In school, fear of staining their uniforms or being teased by male classmates often results in absenteeism or dropping out altogether.
Health Risks Due to Poor Menstrual Hygiene Management
Girls who cannot afford proper menstrual products or are unaware of safe hygiene practices are at high risk of health complications. Infections like UTIs (urinary tract infections), reproductive tract infections, and skin irritations are common. These health issues often go untreated due to shame or lack of access to healthcare, further contributing to missed school days.
The link between menstrual hygiene and long-term physical health is rarely talked about—but it’s an urgent concern, especially for adolescent girls in rural and underprivileged communities.
The Vicious Cycle of Poverty and Education Loss
Period poverty is both a cause and consequence of economic inequality. Families living in poverty may prioritize limited resources toward sons’ education, viewing menstruation and related needs for daughters as burdensome. As girls miss school and fall behind, their dropout rates rise. This ultimately limits their access to higher education and job opportunities—continuing the cycle of poverty into the next generation.
When girls are denied education due to menstruation, it isn’t just a gender issue—it becomes a socio-economic one, weakening the community and the country at large.
Policy and NGO Interventions Are Not Yet Enough
Government programs such as the Menstrual Hygiene Scheme (MHS) and various state-run pad distribution initiatives have made important strides—but their reach is still uneven. While progressive states like Kerala have seen positive results from pad-distribution and awareness programs (leading to a 74% reduction in absenteeism), such models aren’t yet replicated widely or consistently.
NGOs like Smile Foundation and organizations like Ioza Learning have launched educational campaigns around menstrual hygiene and distributed affordable products in rural communities. However, many of these efforts remain localized, underfunded, or dependent on donor cycles rather than systematic policy inclusion.
What Needs to Change
To end period poverty and ensure uninterrupted education for girls, India must go beyond temporary schemes and create long-term, scalable solutions. Here’s what needs to happen:
- Ensure WASH infrastructure: Every school must have clean, separate girls’ toilets with running water, privacy, and proper disposal systems.
- Free or subsidized sanitary products: Pads should be treated as an essential part of school supplies, just like books and uniforms.
- Incorporate menstrual education in curricula: Normalize the conversation by teaching both girls and boys about menstruation and hygiene.
- Community sensitization campaigns: Challenge deep-rooted stigma through local leaders, influencers, and educators.
- Monitor absenteeism data: Track menstruation-related school absences and address them with targeted interventions.
Conclusion
Period poverty is not just about pads—it’s about dignity, opportunity, and justice. It is about creating a world where a biological process doesn’t become a reason for a girl to lose her future. If India is to truly fulfill its vision of “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao”, we must remove every silent barrier between a girl and her education—and that starts with acknowledging and addressing period poverty as a national priority.