New Delhi, March 14: Rajya Sabha member Raghav Chadha called for an end to the social stigma surrounding menstruation during a session on Friday. He emphasized that if the country’s 350 million women and girls cannot discuss menstrual hygiene without shame or fear, we cannot truly consider ourselves progressive.
Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Chadha stated that menstrual hygiene is not a charity or a minor issue. It is a matter linked to health, education, and equality, and most importantly, it concerns the dignity of women.
He remarked, “If a girl has to drop out of school due to a lack of sanitary pads, water, or privacy, it is not just her personal problem but our collective failure.”
Chadha also questioned the double standards prevalent in society. He noted, “We live in a country where alcohol and cigarettes are sold openly, yet sanitary pads are still wrapped in newspapers, as if they need to be hidden. Society has turned a biological fact into a social taboo, silencing a scientific issue.”
He raised this issue on the social media platform X, highlighting that over 350 million women and girls in India are affected. The true measure of a country’s progress is whether every girl can attend school without shame or fear, live with dignity, and discuss this topic openly.
Meanwhile, the government has launched several initiatives to promote menstrual hygiene. According to the Ministry of Women and Child Development, the percentage of women aged 15 to 24 using hygienic methods during menstruation has increased from 57.6% to 77.3%, as per the National Family Health Survey data.
Additionally, under the Prime Minister’s Bharatiya Jan Aushadhi Yojana, over 16,000 Jan Aushadhi centers have been established across the country, offering oxo-biodegradable sanitary napkins named ‘Suvidha’ at just one rupee per pad.
Government statistics indicate that by November 30, 2025, over 963 million ‘Suvidha’ sanitary napkins had been sold. These pads are environmentally friendly and made from oxo-biodegradable materials.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is running the Menstrual Hygiene Promotion Scheme to improve menstrual hygiene among adolescents (ages 10 to 19). This initiative focuses on raising awareness, ensuring the availability of sanitary napkins, and promoting safe and environmentally friendly disposal.
The government has also developed a Menstrual Hygiene Policy for school-going girls, emphasizing the availability of affordable hygiene products, separate toilets, safe disposal methods, and inclusion of this topic in the curriculum.
Additionally, the ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ campaign is placing special emphasis on raising awareness about menstrual hygiene and the use of sanitary napkins.
My name is Narendra Jijhontiya. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including TECHNOLOGY, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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