Menstrual Health: Survey Reveals 81.3% Girls Discuss Periods with Mothers Only and 40.9% Avoid School

Gurugram – The Green Pencil Foundation has embarked on a landmark initiative titled "Periods of Pride", aiming to address menstrual hygiene management in schools across India. This critical endeavor is part of a larger effort to dismantle stigmas and challenges associated with menstruation, particularly for school-going girls.

As part of the initiative, the foundation conducted a comprehensive survey targeting urban centers including Mumbai, Pune, New Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Bangalore, Chandigarh, Chennai, and Hyderabad.

The survey, which garnered over 800 responses through Google Forms and offline participation, has unveiled a concerning reality about the state of menstrual health awareness and the stigmas surrounding it.

Key Findings

The survey highlighted several alarming statistics:

• 81.3% of girls reported feeling most comfortable discussing their periods only with their mothers, emphasizing the widespread societal taboo surrounding menstruation.

• 40.9% of respondents admitted they prefer to avoid school during their periods, reflecting how the stigma and lack of proper support directly impact school attendance.

• 18.8% of girls disclosed they do not know how to use menstrual products like pads correctly, and 17.1% were unfamiliar with the concept of menstruation itself.

• The survey also revealed that 34.4% of girls were unaware of the complete menstrual cycle, while 36.2% faced difficulty discussing their periods with family members.

Urgent Need for Change

These findings underscore the critical need for comprehensive menstrual education across schools in India. Sandy Khanda, founder of the Green Pencil Foundation, highlighted the urgency of normalizing menstruation, stating, “Green Pencil Foundation is committed to destigmatizing periods through our initiative, Periods of Pride. Proper menstrual education and access to quality menstrual products are fundamental rights for every girl and woman.”

The survey revealed that 8.6% of participants believed that menstruation negatively affects their health, while 17.8% were unsure, further illustrating the knowledge gap that exists regarding basic menstrual health.

Co-founder Gaurav Kumar emphasized the importance of immediate action, remarking, “This dark reality calls for immediate action. It is crucial to integrate menstrual education into school policies to educate teenage girls on both the practical and theoretical aspects of menstruation and good menstrual hygiene management practices.”

The Green Pencil Foundation is calling on the government, NGOs, and society to unite in normalizing menstruation and creating an environment where girls can feel empowered. By integrating comprehensive menstrual education into school curriculums, the foundation hopes to dismantle the deep-rooted stigmas and taboos that continue to hinder girls' education and overall well-being.

Khanda reiterated the significance of addressing these issues, adding, "Women have been fighting for their basic human rights for decades. Menstrual hygiene education is a fundamental right for every girl, and we must act now to ensure these rights are recognized and respected.”