**Executive Summary**
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare addresses Lok Sabha Unstarred Question 2424, answered on February 13, 2026, regarding steps taken to increase menstrual hygiene awareness and accessibility for adolescent girls. The Ministry implements the Scheme for Promotion of Menstrual Hygiene (for girls aged 10-19) and the National Menstrual Hygiene Policy for School-Going Girls, released in November 2024. Sanitary napkins are also available at a subsidised rate.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Scheme for Promotion of Menstrual Hygiene:**
* Aims to promote menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls (10-19 years).
* Increases awareness of menstrual hygiene management.
* Increases access to sanitary napkins for adolescent girls.
* Promotes the safe disposal of sanitary napkins.
* Sanitary napkins are provided through schools and community-based platforms.
* Information Education and Communication (IEC) material is developed and disseminated to States/UTs.
* ASHAs and teachers conduct awareness sessions on safe menstrual hygiene practices.
* **National Menstrual Hygiene Policy for School-Going Girls:**
* Released in November 2024.
* Provides a comprehensive framework for:
* Access to safe and affordable menstrual hygiene products.
* Gender-responsive sanitation facilities.
* Awareness generation.
* Environmentally safe disposal mechanisms in Government and Government-aided schools.
* Coordinated action with States/UTs and relevant Ministries.
* **Affordable Access to Sanitary Napkins:**
* Under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP), 'Jan Aushadhi Suvidha' sanitary napkins are available at Rs.1 per pad.
**Impact Analysis**
**Adolescent Girls (10-19 years)**
* **Impact:** Increased awareness, access to sanitary products, and better sanitation facilities.
* **Action Required:** Participate in awareness sessions and utilize available resources (sanitary napkins, sanitation facilities).
**Schools and Teachers**
* **Impact:** Expected to facilitate awareness and provide access to sanitary products.
* **Action Required:** Conduct regular awareness sessions, distribute sanitary napkins, and ensure proper disposal facilities.
**ASHAs (Accredited Social Health Activists)**
* **Impact:** Play a crucial role in disseminating information and conducting awareness sessions.
* **Action Required:** Conduct regular awareness sessions on safe menstrual hygiene practices and dispel misconceptions.
**States/UTs and Relevant Ministries**
* **Impact:** Responsible for coordinating and implementing the scheme and policy.
* **Action Required:** Coordinate with the central government and relevant organizations to implement the policies and schemes effectively.
Key Entities Referenced
Scheme for Promotion of Menstrual Hygiene: Aimed at promoting menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls aged 10–19 years. It includes awareness, access to sanitary napkins, and safe disposal.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare: The ministry responsible for implementing the Scheme for Promotion of Menstrual Hygiene.
National Menstrual Hygiene Policy for School-Going Girls: A comprehensive framework to ensure access to safe and affordable menstrual hygiene products, gender-responsive sanitation facilities, and awareness generation.
Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP): A scheme that makes available 'Jan Aushadhi Suvidha' sanitary napkins at an affordable price.
GOVERNMENTOFINDIA
MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE
DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARREDQUESTION 2424
TO BE ANSWERED ON13.2.2026
AWARENESSABOUTMENSTRUALHYGIENE
2424.SMT.POONAMBENHEMATBHAIMAADAM:
Will the Minister of HEALTHANDFAMILYWELFAREbe pleasedtostate:
(a)whether the Government hastaken anysteps toincrease awareness about menstrual
hygiene anddispel anymisconceptions amongadolescent girlsinthe country;
(b) if so, the detailsthereof;
(c)whether the Government hastaken anysteps toincrease the availabilityandaccessibility
of sanitary napkinstoadolescent girlsinremote areasof the country; and
(d) if so, the detailsthereof
ANSWER
THE MINISTEROFSTATE IN THE MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILY
WELFARE
(SMT. ANUPRIYAPATEL)
(a) to (d) The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare implements the Scheme for Promotion of
Menstrual Hygiene aimed at promoting menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls aged 10–19
years. The scheme implementation promotes increased awareness among adolescent girls on
menstrual hygiene management, increased access to sanitary napkins by adolescent girls and
promotionof safe disposal of sanitary napkinsin anenvironmentallyfriendlymanner.
Under this scheme, sanitary napkins are provided to adolescent girls through schools and
community-based platforms. Information Education and Communication material on menstrual
hygiene management have been developed by the Government and disseminated to the
States/UTs. These are used by ASHAs and teachers to conduct regular awareness sessions for
adolescent girls on safe menstrual hygiene practices and for dispelling misconceptions, both in
schools andinthe community.
Additionally, the National Menstrual Hygiene Policy for School-Going Girls, released in
November 2024, provides a comprehensive framework to ensure access to safe and affordable
menstrual hygiene products, gender-responsive sanitation facilities, awareness generation, and
1environmentally safe disposal mechanisms in Government and Government-aided schools,
through coordinatedaction with States/UTsandrelevant Ministries.
The Government also, under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP),
makes available 'Jan Aushadhi Suvidha' sanitary napkins, @ Rs.1 per pad, to ensure affordable
accesstomenstrual hygiene products.
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