Reconceptualizing Menstrual Health and Hygiene: Addressing Geographic Disparities in Access to Menstrual Health and Hygiene Resources among Indian Women

Mahashweta Chakrabarty, Banaras HIndu University

Menstrual Health and Hygiene is crucial for ensuring menstrual well-being, as it goes beyond providing safe products to include access to essential resources like piped water, daily water availability, unshared improved toilets, soap, hygienic menstrual products, and separate bathing facilities. Building on an evolved definition of MHH, which includes access to comprehensive water, sanitation, hygiene facilities, and safe menstrual products, this study utilizes data from the National Family Health Survey-5 (2019-21), encompassing 191,152 women aged 15-24. The spatial analysis reveals significant geographic disparities in access to MHH resources, with only 21.8% of women having access to all these critical MHH resources. While basic sanitation is relatively well-provided—78.8% have piped water and 82.2% daily water availability—only 69.4% have access to improved unshared toilets, and only 50% use safe menstrual products. In particular, states such as Manipur, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Odisha have notably low access levels. Key factors influencing access to these MHH resources include marital status, socioeconomic status, urban residency, and media exposure. The findings underscore the need for targeted improvements in sanitation infrastructure and menstrual product distribution, specifically focusing on under-resourced regions and addressing barriers to ensure equitable access to these essential MHH resources.

Keywords: Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, Spatial Demography, Population and Development, Inequality, Disadvantage and Discrimination

See extended abstract.