Disability and the barriers to feminine hygiene

News: The United Nations Population Fund and WaterAid India are collaborating to understand the key challenges and constraints faced by persons with disability with regard to menstrual health and hygiene.

According to Census 2011, nearly 27 million persons (or 2.2% of the Indian population) are disabled.

Measures taken in India so far

The government and non-governmental actors have increased awareness about menstrual health and hygiene management (MHHM), enhanced access to female friendly/gender appropriate sanitation facilities and availability of menstrual products (like sanitary pads).

What were the limitations?

A section including girls and women with disabilities have not been focussed so far. They face an exceptional burden on account of the intersections between gender and disability.

The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016

The 2016 Act, stipulates the rights and entitlements of persons with disability. It also recognises that women and children are particularly vulnerable sections of the PWD Community.

It specifies that a person with disabilities has “long term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairment”. This impairment while interacting with other barriers, hinders [her]/his full and effective participation in society equally with others”.

What are the issues?

Persons with disabilities are unable to fully participate in many areas of daily life. They are excluded from doing so as a consequence of impairments/societal barriers or socio-cultural attitudes.

The reproductive rights are even more neglected or disregarded as compared to others.

The realisation of rights and entitlements of persons with disability has been very poor. It is poorer in case of socially and economically vulnerable groups. For example, girls and women with disabilities from poor households and marginalised communities.

According to the National Family Health Survey 2019-20, fewer than two-thirds of girls and women with disabilities aged between 15 to 24 years use hygienic menstrual protection methods.

There are deeply embedded prejudices and misconceptions about the reproductive anatomy and abilities of persons with disability. For example, they are considered asexual, unsuitable for marriage, and incapable of having and raising children.

They are denied information about sexual and reproductive health as compared to those without disabilities. Their menstrual health is also found to be compromised. For them, menstruation is more than a mere physiological process due to preconceived notions.

They face additional hurdles to hygiene management, good health, and health-seeking behaviours due to economic and structural constraints; mobility constraint, among others.

Objectives of United Nations Population Fund and WaterAid India Collaboration

First, understand the key challenges and constraints faced by persons with disability with regard to menstrual health and hygiene.

Second, identify simple and potentially scalable solutions in critical areas like accessible and adapted Information, education and communication on menstrual health and hygiene based on their differential needs and capacities, and an enabling socio-cultural environment. For example, Tactile models accompanied by audio explanations can help people with visual impairment.

Third, appropriate and safe menstrual products and hygiene promotion. They should be provided with a diverse range of products to choose from the most appropriate product.

Fourth, responsive and inclusive water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities, including disposal solutions in different settings like schools, rural, and urban areas.

Fifth, caregivers, both from within the family and institutions should be included as participants and partners. They are vital to ensure success of disability focused interventions.

Way Forward

Every menstruating person has the right to menstrual health, irrespective of their gender identity, ability, or socio-economic status.

Source: The post is based on an article “Disability and the barriers to feminine hygiene” published in the “The Hindu” on 28^th May 2022.