Every year on May 28, the world pauses to recognise Menstrual Hygiene Day, a vital reminder that menstruation is not just a personal experience, but a public issue that intersects with health, education, equity, and economic opportunity. While global awareness is steadily growing, deep-rooted stigma and systemic barriers continue to compromise the well-being of millions of girls and women, especially in low-resource settings like rural India.

At the intersection of public health and social equity lies a critical truth: menstrual hygiene is not just a women’s issue—it is everyone’s issue.

“Menstrual hygiene is not merely a women’s health issue—it is a public health priority, a matter of dignity, and a cornerstone of gender equity. On Menstrual Hygiene Day, we must move beyond awareness and toward action that ensures every girl and woman has access to safe, hygienic menstrual products, clean water, and the privacy and education needed to manage her cycle with confidence.
Despite progress, millions of girls in low-resource settings still miss school due to inadequate facilities or stigma. This has a cascading effect on education, mental health, and long-term opportunities. As healthcare professionals, educators, and policymakers, we have a responsibility to dismantle the myths and silence surrounding menstruation.
Hygiene practices during menstruation are directly linked to risks of infections, reproductive tract issues, and urinary complications. Therefore, integrating menstrual hygiene into broader health education and adolescent care programs is essential.
Menstrual health is not a luxury—it is a right. By normalising menstruation and ensuring menstrual equity, we create environments where girls don’t just survive but thrive. It’s time we treat menstrual hygiene not as a monthly inconvenience, but as a marker of progress, dignity, and empowerment,” — Dr. Anuj Parkash, HOD Biochemistry, Medanta

Ground-Level Change: A Rights-Based Approach to Menstrual Equity

India has made significant strides in menstrual health over the past decade. Yet, menstrual taboos, lack of access to products, and inadequate sanitation infrastructure continue to create unequal experiences for menstruators. Especially in rural and underserved regions, the need for community-driven, rights-based interventions is more urgent than ever.

One organisation leading this change is Ujaas, an initiative of the Aditya Birla Education Trust. Working across both urban and rural Maharashtra, Ujaas focuses on menstrual education, awareness-building, and breaking gendered silences that perpetuate stigma.

“Menstrual Hygiene Day is a powerful global reminder that menstruation is not just a biological reality, it is a matter of dignity, equity, and health. Despite growing awareness, stigma and misinformation continue to shadow the lives of millions of adolescent girls and women in India. We must collectively work to normalise conversations around menstruation, not only in schools and homes but across society.
At Ujaas, our work has shown us that change is possible when communities come together to break the silence and build empathy. Through our recent impact assessment across rural and urban Maharashtra, we saw a 57% drop in harmful beliefs among adolescent girls and a marked increase in boys’ comfort discussing menstruation and purchasing menstrual products. These shifts are not just numbers, they are signs of deep cultural transformation.
Yet, our work is far from over. We need consistent, inclusive, and gender-sensitive menstrual health education that empowers young people, regardless of gender, to view menstruation as a natural and manageable part of life. Menstrual equity must be rooted in rights-based, not charity-driven, frameworks.
On this Menstrual Hygiene Day, let us recommit to building a world where no girl misses school, no woman feels shame, and no community stays silent, simply because of a biological process,” — Poonam Patkar, Head of Ujaas – An Initiative by Aditya Birla Education Trust

A Call to Drive Scalable Impact

For stakeholders in the healthcare ecosystem—from product innovators and pharma leaders to diagnostics chains and CSR arms—Menstrual Hygiene Day is a call to align business strategies with public health goals. The way forward lies in partnerships that promote:

• Affordable innovation in menstrual product manufacturing and sustainable distribution.
• Integration of menstrual health into adolescent wellness programs and school health initiatives.
• Data-driven impact assessments to track shifts in behaviour and health outcomes.
• Gender-inclusive educational content, not just targeting girls but actively involving boys and families.

By treating menstrual health as a public health priority and a driver of gender equity, companies and healthcare organisations can go beyond compliance and social messaging to create enduring, scalable change.

Also read: Towards a #PeriodFriendlyWorld: Advancing Menstrual Hygiene and Health in India

From Awareness to Accountability

Menstrual Hygiene Day 2025 is more than a commemoration, it’s a collective checkpoint on the journey to bodily autonomy, health equity, and social justice. From grassroots organisations like Ujaas to tertiary care experts like Medanta, the message is clear: menstrual health must move from the periphery to the centre of healthcare and policy agendas.

Let us pledge, not just today, but every day, to work towards a future where menstruation is understood, respected, and supported across every layer of society.

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