The real problem of Females across India
Importance of Menstrual Hygiene
Hygiene-related practices of women during menstruation are of considerable importance, as it may increase vulnerability to Reproductive Tract Infections (RTI’s). Poor menstrual hygiene is one of the major reasons for the high prevalence of RTIs in the country and contributes significantly to female morbidity.
Due to their responsibilities, women who pay less attention to their hygiene can spread a lot of germs. Food poisoning, gastroenteritis, pneumonia, trachoma and skin infections are some of the diseases caused by poor personal hygiene practices. This is why it is essential for women to maintain great personal hygiene.
Menstrual Hygiene Management Initiative
In brief – about an initiative by Government of India
Under the “National Health Mission” by Ministry of Health & Family welfare government of India, have initiated with the program MHM – Menstrual Hygiene Management.
Major Objective of the scheme are:
• To increase awareness among adolescent girls on Menstrual Hygiene
• To increase access to and use of high quality sanitary napkins to adolescent girls in rural areas.
• To ensure safe disposal of Sanitary Napkins in an environmentally friendly manner.
More details : https://www.nhm.gov.in/index1.php?lang=1&level=3&sublinkid=1021&lid=391
1 Step ahead to support the MHM initiative by Government of India
• Promote better health / hygiene practice
• Save cost of menstruation for every female
• Save / protect nature by using reusable products. •Save cost of government which is incurred for decomposing Pads.
Further to the program MHM – Menstrual hygiene management introduced by government of India for the betterment of females across India, the government have initiated to distribute Pads across rural India.
We have tried to get 1 step ahead for creating better menstrual hygiene which is beyond the distribution of Pads in rural / urban areas across India, by creating the awareness among the females for menstrual cup because
1 Menstrual Cup = 500 Pads* (approx)
OR 1 Menstrual Cup = 1600 Tampons
We have also initiated with a series of training programs called as “Lyvefresh ANANDA” which we will organize across rural and urban areas including for corporate / government departments / etc. for creating awareness about Menstrual Hygiene.
Some real facts regarding Menstrual Hygiene issues faced by women
- 50 % of world population is women , and they bleed, on an average 3000 days in their life cycle
- Women are the worst sufferers due to lack of sanitation facilities in India.
- According to studies, 30% marginalized women are physically and sexually assaulted to access public toilet while 70% of teenage girls in Delhi slums experience humiliation every day . Due to shortage of toilet facility, 23% of adolescent girls drop out from schools.
- Because of Menses , I and you are on earth but still there is social taboo and discrimination pertaining to menstruation.
- In India only 12% of 355 million(35,50,00,000) women of menstruating age can afford disposable sanitary napkins. But conservatively, these 42.6 million women will throw 21.3 billion sanitary napkins to landfill in their lives (Hindu new paper-2018)
- India’s menstrual waste is estimated at 1,13,000 tones annually. (Outlook2018) •National Family Health Survey (NFHS) 2015-16, say 57.6% of Indian women use sanitary napkins
- Plastic used in pads takes about 500 years to decompose. In fact bio degradable options do contain 20 % of toxic plastic and jell content
- There is no specific Goal or Indicator for MHM but Menstruation Matters SDG Goal 3,4,6,8 & 12
- India is committed to cut emissions to net zero by 2070 with global COP26 summit ( Nov 2021)
Cost of Menstruation in India
| No. of Females Menstruating in India (approx.) | 35,50,00,000 | 355 Million |
| Females using Disposable Pads | 20% | |
| Females using Disposable Pads | 7,10,00,000 | 71 Million |
| Average Cost Per Pad | 5 | |
| No of Pads used per cycle per female | 10 | |
| No. of Pads used in India P. M. | 71,00,00,000 | 710 Million |
| No. of Pads used in India P. A. | 8,52,00,00,000 | 85.2 Billion |
| Cost of Menstruation In India Per Year | 42,60,00,00,000 | 426 Billion |
| Cost of Menstruation in India for 5 Years | 2130 Billion | 2130 Billion |
WHY SAY “NO” to Pads ?
• Unhygienic
• Health Disadvantages
• Not Eco-Friendly for Nature
• High in Cost
Health disadvantages of Pads
There are several disadvantages of sanitary pads & Tampons out of which few main reasons are…
- Inflammation in the pelvic region.
- Cancer in the ovaries.
- Damaged immune system.
- Hormonal dysfunction.
- Malfunctioning of the thyroid.
- Vaginal allergies.
- Rashes.
- Ailments related to the endometrium.
Threat to nature
According to Menstrual Health Alliance India, one sanitary pad could take 500 to 800 years to decompose as the plastic used is non-biodegradable and can lead to health and environmental hazards.
Sanitary Pads belongs to BIO HAZARDS waste and so can not be burnt also. Burning sanitary pads release harmful toxins, posing serious health risks for those in proximity. Without proper precautions, this method not only leads to pollution but can also pose serious health issues
SHIFT THE FOCUS – PADS FREE PERIODS
An Eco friendly alternative to Pads & Tampons
WHY MENSTRUAL CUP ?
- Reusable for upto 5 years
- Made from 100% Medical Grade Silicone
- Antimicrobial Material
- Leak proof & Hygienic
- Sterilizable at home for a fresh feel.
- Eco Friendly
COST OF MENSTRUAL CUP – As compared with Sanitary Pads
| Reusability of 1 Menstrual Cup | 5 Years | |
| Females Using Disposable Pads | 7,10,00,000 | |
| Average Cost Per Menstrual Cup | 300 | |
| Cost of Menstruation with Cup for 5 years | 21,30,00,00,000 | 21.3 Billion |
| Savings % in India in 5 Years Approx | 98% | |
| Savings in 5 Years | 2108.7 Billion | 2108.7 Billion |
| Savings Per Year | 421.74 Billion | 421.74 Billion |
| Savings Per Month | 35.145 Billion | 35.145 Billion |
What you can do wearing a Menstrual Cup ?
Know your Lyvefresh Menstrual Cup
OUR ACTIVITIES
FREE workshop with FREE distribution @ Family Service Centre COLABA Mumbai
Free Workshop with FREE distribution @ ParkSite Police Station, Vikhroli West, Mumbai.
