Breaking the taboo:
Urgent need for Women's healthcare and hygiene in India
9th September 2024
In modern India where we talk about gender equality and women empowerment, it is sad to see that women contribute to only 24% of the total workforce which is one of the lowest in the world. Studying the reasons behind these numbers, it was found that low workforce is partly due to lack of sanitation facilities in India. According to the International Labour Organisation only 21% of the companies have separate restrooms for men and women in India and only 5% of them have menstrual hygiene management. Seeing such numbers, it is clear that women's healthcare and hygiene awareness is an urgent issue that needs to be addressed.
Women Development Cell, Dronacharya Group of Institutions, Greater Noida organized a session on “Breaking the taboo: Urgent need for Women's healthcare and hygiene in India” under the guidance of Dr. Mamta Bhardwaj to educate its students, faculty and staff members about the need and importance of women’s healthcare and hygiene. Prof. Mamta said according to a survey conducted by the National Family Health Organization (March 2024), only 14% of women in India use sanitary napkins and the rest rely on other alternatives which lead to risk of infections and other health problems in women. She made everyone aware about how menstrual health and hygiene is an important aspect of women’s overall well being. In addition to health issues, lack of proper sanitation facilities has also affected education and economic opportunities of women.
She further explained, it is important to teach both men and women about the importance of menstrual hygiene for the overall health of women, this can be achieved only by organizing campaigns and sex education classes to break the taboo that surrounds menstruation. It has to be the combined efforts of both men and women to promote women healthcare and to create a healthy environment at the workplace. Education is the only way to promote gender equality. The session ended with a vote of thanks from Director Prof. (Dr.) Arpita Gupta for attending the session and making it a success. She encouraged everyone to take individual steps in addressing issues of women's healthcare and change society’s attitude towards women hygiene.