The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare’s scheme entitled “Scheme for Promotion of Menstrual Hygiene among Adolescent Girls in Rural India” promotes Menstrual Hygiene among adolescent girls in the age group of 10-19 years in rural areas as part of Adolescent Reproductive Sexual Health. As per information provided by States/UTs 3,13,255 Anganwadis and 3,69,461 Schools are implementing the scheme with a view to promote Menstrual Hygiene practices in the rural areas.

The ASHA workers play an instrumental role in promotion of the scheme. They are responsible for distributing the sanitary napkin packs at a subsidized rate of Rs. 6/- for a pack of 6 napkins and arranging monthly meetings with the adolescent girls in their area to deliberate on various health issues including menstrual hygiene management.

Under Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP), Government has launched Jan Aushadhi Suvidha Sanitary Napkins at Rs. 1/- per pad for women to ensure easy availability of the menstrual health services at affordable prices. Awareness generation among adolescent girls in schools about safe and hygienic menstrual health practices are done through the existing service delivery and health promotion mechanisms in schools. Further, IEC and BCC activities are carried out by the States/ UTs to create awareness among the adolescent girls and other stakeholders as per the proposals received in the Programme Implementation Plan (PIPs) of the respective State/ UT under National Health Mission.

The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar’s written reply in the Lok Sabha today.