Context: The everteen Menstrual Hygiene Survey 2025 reveals alarming misinformation on social media regarding menstrual health, with only 11.5% of women trusting online advice during emergencies.
About Menstrual Hygiene Survey 2025:
- What is Menstrual Hygiene?
- Menstrual hygiene refers to safe and healthy practicesduring menstruation, including: Use of clean sanitary products (pads, cups, tampons), Proper disposal methods, and Access to sanitation facilities and education.
- Key Statistics (India & Global)
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- 71.6% of Indian women find social media informative on periods, but only 11.5% trust it in emergencies.
- 82.7% experience menstrual pain, yet 41.5% use no pain relief.
- 87.8% use sanitary pads, while 5.7% opt for disposable period panties (Survey 2025).
- 35.4% buy menstrual products online due to convenience.
- Globally, 500 million women lack access to menstrual hygiene facilities (UNICEF).
- Challenges in Menstrual Hygiene:
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- Misinformation & Myths:
- False remedies (e.g., coffee for cramps, menstrual blood for skincare).
- Superstitions (avoiding temples, not washing hair).
- Misinformation & Myths:
- Stigma & Privacy Concerns:
- 6%avoid discussing menstruation online due to privacy fears.
- 4%fear judgment (Survey 2025).
Relevance in UPSC Exam Syllabus:
- GS Paper I (Society & Social Issues)
- Gender & Health: Menstrual hygiene is linked to women’s health, gender equality, and social stigma.
- Urban-Rural Divide: Disparities in access to menstrual products and sanitation facilities.
- GS Paper II (Governance & Policies)
- Government Schemes: SUVIDHA, Swachh Bharat Mission (Menstrual Hygiene Management).
- Rights & Education: Right to sanitation under SDG 6 (Clean Water & Sanitation).
