Empowering girls: why menstrual hygiene education matters in india

12/05/25

Blog

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In India, the difficult and once-considered controversial conversation about menstrual hygiene has become one that is becoming a part and parcel of everyday health and personal growth. More schools, communities, and families now recognise that providing menstrual hygiene health education is not just about health anymore—it’s about dignity, confidence, and keeping girls in school.

There is a well-documented link between menstruation and school performance. Many girls start missing school right after puberty because there is fear and uncertainty about managing periods in an atmosphere where they may be treated with shame or disgust or lack of supportive teachers and administration. Girls need clean, safe bathrooms where they can use and discard feminine hygiene products as necessary over the course of the day.

Menstrual hygiene health education helps shift that pattern. When girls are given basic, accurate information about their bodies, they’re better prepared. When teachers are trained to talk about menstruation without embarrassment or stigma, it establishes a common framework of understanding that can, over time, lead to support. Schools that distribute sanitary napkins or allow time for rest during pain are recognising what girls need to stay in class with comfort and self-assurance.

There’s also the question of inculcating greater sensitivity among boys. When they are included in menstrual education, the overall environment becomes more supportive. It cuts down teasing. It builds understanding. It prepares them to be better classmates, friends, and later, parents and partners. On the other hand, ignoring or excluding them from this conversation doesn’t protect girls—it perpetuates the secrecy and stigma that prevent fostering a mature understanding of the issue. This is why schools and NGOs that take the extra step to educate all students often see broader change over time.

Read Also: Girl Child Education – Key to Freeing Girls from Social Barriers

A number of development sector organisations have made consistent contributions here. Child protection NGO Bal Raksha Bharat, for instance, has approached menstrual hygiene as part of a wider focus on child health and gender equity. In communities where they work, the team conducts awareness sessions, distributes hygiene kits, and follows up with both girls and their families. It means girls have someone to talk to again next month, and the one after that. Over time, the topic of health education menstrual hygiene stops feeling awkward. It becomes normal.

NGOs have helped bridge the gap by working with school management, sourcing local support, and helping girls access and correctly use affordable hygiene products. These are small shifts in budget or design, but they make a visible difference in whether girls feel safe during school hours.

A crucial aspect that used to be often overlooked is that health education menstrual hygiene is not just about materials or physical spaces—it’s about personal agency. When a girl understands what’s happening in her body, she’s less likely to feel fear or shame. When she can manage her period without disruption, she’s more likely to stay in school, participate in class, play outside, and keep pace with her peers. That’s the link to empowerment. It’s not abstract—it’s logistical, emotional, and social.

India has made progress in this area, but the work is ongoing. Several states have introduced pad distribution schemes and awareness programmes. But the day-to-day support still depends heavily on what happens inside classrooms, families, and communities. That’s where sustained change takes root.

Menstrual hygiene education, then, is not a single workshop or lesson. It is the outcome of a sustained conversation at all levels. The willingness to have this conversation tells girls they’re seen, they’re valued, and they have a right to knowledge and comfort. It tells them school is not a place they need to step back from when they grow up—it’s a place that moves with them. That message matters.

Bal Raksha Bharat runs menstrual hygiene education programmes in different parts of India, with an emphasis on child education donation and empowering girls with the resources they need. The organisation works in schools and communities, holding sessions with students, teachers, and parents. Bal Raksha Bharat also trains teachers to foster a supportive environment about the topic and also engages at the family level to address regressive beliefs on the topic of menstruation.

Gaurav Sharma

Content Reviewer

“I am an editor and technical specialist at Bal Raksha Bharat, responsible for publishing articles and posts. My role involves evaluating content for consistency, and ensuring a positive user experience across the website."