Period Poverty among Girls in Slum Settings of Mumbai: Parents’ Perspectives about Their Role in the Menstrual Health Management of Their Daughters

Paramita Majumdar, International Institute for Population Sciences, India
Aparajita Chattopadhyay, International Institute for Population Sciences, India
Shinjini Ray, International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS)
Shireen J. Jejeebhoy, Aksha Centre for Equity and Wellbeing / International Institute for Population Sciences

Menstruation is a significant milestone in transitioning to adulthood. Yet, many girls in poor and gender inegalitarian settings, including India, face period poverty, namely, limited information, adverse norms and taboos, limited access to period products and inadequate WASH facilities. While parents play an important role in reducing period poverty among adolescents, their role is rarely studied. This qualitative study employs in-depth interviews to explore the role of parents in slum settings of Mumbai in informing their daughters and sons about menstruation, and in supporting their daughters navigating menstrual health management. Findings stress that parent-child interactions continue to be governed by adverse norms and menstruation continues to be perceived as a women’s issue. Both mothers and fathers lack knowledge, taboos are prevalent, most notably relating to religious activities and food; communication, especially with men, is limited, and, although improved, poor WASH conditions, especially unhygienic disposal of period products, persist. Yet positive intergenerational change has taken place. Parents no longer keep their daughters indoors, or restrict them from pursuing their education or entering the kitchen during menstruation. Several acknowledge new avenues of information, including schools and the internet. Most widespread is the shift from using cloth to safe menstrual products.

Keywords: Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, Children, Adolescents, and Youth, Families, Unions and Households, Qualitative data/methods/approaches

See extended abstract.