Menstruation: Role of NGO’S in Promoting Menstrual Health and Hygiene in Jammu and Kashmir

Menstruation is a normal biological process. Around 1.8 billion people menstruate. Menstrual health is very crucial for woman’s well-being but socio-cultural customs and institutional biases prevent women from getting the care they need regarding their menstrual health. Like many other countries, menstruation is still considered a taboo in Indian society. Many cultural and social practices related to menstruation create major hurdle in ensuring that the girls are given proper knowledge on menstrual health and hygiene. However, change can be seen in the menstrual hygiene management over the past few years in India. National family and health survey found that 58 percent of Indian women (15-24 yrs) use a hygienic sanitary protection, increase from 12 percent using pads in 2010. In Jammu and Kashmir, 50.5 percent of women aged between 15-24 use sanitary protections, an increase from 48 percent using in 2015-2016. Along with number of initiatives taken by government like Menstrual Hygiene Scheme, there are number of NGO’s working across India to provide health, hygiene and comfort to women, especially in rural areas. The present paper has highlighted the various NGO’s working in Jammu and Kashmir, which played a crucial role in promoting awareness regarding menstrual health and hygiene, providing sanitary products at door steps and breaking culture of silence that surround menstruation over the years. Results show that there are 5 major NGO’s that are working in Jammu and Kashmir emphasizing menstrual awareness and providing hygiene products to girls especially in rural areas. These NGO’s are playing a crucial role in tackling menstrual health challenges bringing together education and awareness on menstruation, providing hygiene products and promoting right to health, dignity and gender equality.