From Secrecy to Sustainability: Menstrual Health in Jaipur Schools

 In Jaipur, young women discuss menstrual health with Centre for Advocacy and Research (CFAR) officials and community leaders. The challenges surrounding menstruation for girls in Jaipur are significant, impacting their opportunities and well-being.

(Photo: CFAR Archives/ Amarjeet Kumar Singh)

"Learning about MHH (menstrual health and hygiene) in a supportive environment, devoid of hesitation or embarrassment, has been useful. School-based education serves as a vital tool in breaking taboos and fostering open conversations about reproductive health," remarks Tanu, a member of an adolescent girls' group working to change perceptions around menstruation in her Jaipur school.

In the bustling city of Jaipur, India, girls face a hidden challenge—managing their periods hygienically and with dignity. Stigma and a lack of information often shroud menstruation in secrecy, impacting their education and well-being. However, a wave of change is sweeping through Jaipur's schools. The Centre for Advocacy and Research (CFAR) is leading initiatives that promote health and dignity while empowering girls to become advocates for change.

According to UNICEF, 71% of adolescent girls in India are unaware of menstruation until they experience it themselves. This lack of information, coupled with societal taboos, often leads to embarrassment and poor menstrual hygiene practices. CFAR is addressing this issue head-on by implementing comprehensive educational programs in schools.

"School-based education serves as a vital tool in breaking taboos and fostering open conversations about reproductive health."

- Tanu, Child Cabinet Member

Central to CFAR’s strategy is the establishment of Child Cabinets—groups of students trained to audit and advocate for better MHH practices in their schools. Audits conducted by Child Cabinet members revealed significant gaps in WASH infrastructure and knowledge. 

To address these gaps, CFAR collaborates with the Women’s Empowerment Department to institutionalise weekly sessions on climate, gender, and MHH in twenty schools. The impact is tangible, as students like Manish testify to the effectiveness of these sessions in empowering them to support their peers and family members. “As a Child Cabinet member, I received MHH knowledge, which enabled me to support my younger sister. Once, when she felt hesitant to attend school due to menstrual discomfort, I intervened by providing her with sanitary napkins from the pad bank and educating my mother about menstrual hygiene," shared Manish.

To ensure that MHH is both empowering and environmentally sustainable, the Multi-stakeholder Alliance in Jaipur, led by CFAR, is leading efforts to promote a climate-resilient MHH. This includes raising awareness about sustainable methods for disposing of sanitary napkins and implementing scientific solutions for menstrual waste disposal in schools, such as deep burial composting pits.

Dr Kalpana Singh, Principal of Mahatma Gandhi Government School Someshwar Puri, sees this as a critical next step for MHH in her school. "Efforts focused on menstrual waste disposal are paramount. They hold the promise of long-lasting benefits for the well-being of young girls."

"Efforts focused on menstrual waste disposal are paramount. They hold the promise of long-lasting benefits for the well-being of young girls."

- Dr Kalpana Singh, Principal of Mahatma Gandhi Government School

Pilots for environmentally sound menstrual waste composting are currently underway in model schools, with plans for widespread implementation across Jaipur.  CFAR’s work exemplifies the transformative power of education and community engagement in improving menstrual hygiene management, paving the way for a future where all students can thrive in a healthy, dignified, and empowered school life.