Status of menstrual hygiene in Indian prisons

Source: The post status of menstrual hygiene in Indian prisons has been created, based on the article “Menstrual hygiene in Indian prisons” published in “The Hindu” on 28th May 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2, Social Issues, government policies and interventions for development in various sectors

Context: The article discusses the poor conditions of menstrual hygiene for women in Indian prisons. It highlights the lack of proper sanitary products and facilities, and the government’s efforts to address these issues, including the new National Menstrual Hygiene Policy that recognizes prisoners’ needs but lacks a detailed plan for improvement.

For detailed information on Menstrual hygiene policy read this article here

What is the current status of menstrual hygiene in Indian prisons?

Number of Women in Prisons: As reported by the National Crime Records Bureau, there are 23,772 women in Indian prisons, with 77% being of reproductive age and likely menstruators.

Lack of Resources: Despite the 2016 Model Prison Manual’s recommendations, many prisons do not provide adequate water, washroom facilities, or quality sanitary products.

Case Study Findings: A 2023 study in a Maharashtra prison highlighted severe deficiencies:

Approximately 50 women were forced to share just two toilets.

Inadequate water supply led to unsanitary conditions and increased health risks, such as urinary infections.

Dependence on Donations: Prisons often rely on NGOs for sanitary napkins, which sometimes results in the distribution of substandard products.

What efforts have been made to improve conditions?

Menstrual Hygiene Scheme: This scheme involves distributing free or subsidized sanitary napkins to young women, aimed at improving access to menstrual hygiene products across various demographics.

Drafting of National Menstrual Hygiene Policy in 2023: This new policy recognizes menstruation as a natural process and emphasizes the need for equitable access to menstrual hygiene. It specifically includes prisoners as a target group, acknowledging their compromised access to hygiene facilities.

Inclusion in Policy Discussions: The National Menstrual Hygiene Policy aims to address disparities and barriers that prevent certain groups, including female prisoners, from accessing necessary menstrual hygiene resources, although it lacks a detailed action plan for implementation in prisons.

What should be done?

Implement the Model Prison Manual 2016: Ensure all states adhere to its guidelines for providing adequate water and sanitation facilities to manage menstrual hygiene effectively.

Develop Comprehensive Strategies: Collaborate between public health authorities and prison administrations to create a detailed action plan for improving menstrual hygiene in prisons.

Increase Research: Conduct more empirical studies to understand the specific needs and conditions related to menstrual hygiene in prisons, as highlighted by the 2023 study in Maharashtra.

Address Policy Gaps: Update the National Menstrual Hygiene Policy to include specific, actionable steps for improving conditions in prisons, involving the Ministry of Home Affairs as a key stakeholder.

Question for practice:

Examine the current status of menstrual hygiene in Indian prisons and the efforts made to improve conditions.