Daily Hot Topic

Topic : Menstrual Hygiene Crisis in Indian Prisons

GS-2 Mains  : Polity

Revision Notes

Progress & The Neglected:

• While NFHS 2019-2020 shows improvement in menstrual hygiene product usage (80% of young women 15-24), women in prisons remain neglected.
• Systemic oversight and societal biases around female prisoners and menstruation exacerbate the issue.

Women in Prison Population:

• 23,772 women in Indian prisons, with 77% (18,380) in the reproductive age group (likely menstruating).

Inadequate Supplies & Facilities:

• Inconsistent availability of sanitary napkins, often of poor quality.
• 2016 Model Prison Manual recommendations for adequate supplies often ignored.
• Lack of proper water and washroom facilities for female prisoners.
• Overcrowding worsens access to basic necessities like water, soap, and detergent.
• Maharashtra prison study (June 2023) found insufficient water, unclean toilets, and reliance on unreliable donations.
• Substandard reusable napkins provided in some cases, unusable due to lack of washing facilities.

Consequences:

• Increased risk of urinary tract infections due to infrequent washing.
• Discomfort, skin rashes, and infections from poor-quality sanitary products.

Existing Schemes:

• Menstrual Hygiene Scheme: Improves access to sanitary products for young women (free/subsidized distribution).
• Suraksha Suvidha Napkins: Affordable sanitary napkins sold at ₹1 per napkin in Jan Aushadhi Kendras.

National Menstrual Hygiene Policy (2023):

• Recognizes menstruation as a natural process needing attention.
• Promotes safe and dignified menstrual hygiene management for all.
• Targets disparities in access to products and information.
• Identifies prisoners as a group with limited access to menstrual hygiene facilities.

Shortcomings of the Policy:

• Lacks a concrete action plan for prisons.
• Ignores the role of the Ministry of Home Affairs in prison hygiene policies.

Recommendations:

• Standardization: Enforce Model Prison Manual 2016 recommendations across all states.
• Public Health Focus: Recognize menstrual hygiene as a public health issue in prisons.
• Combat Period Poverty: Integrate menstrual hygiene management into prison programs.

Developing a Comprehensive Strategy:

• Collaboration: Encourage collaboration between public health and prison authorities.
• Improve Facilities: Upgrade washrooms and sanitation facilities.
• Product Availability: Ensure consistent supply of high-quality sanitary products.
• Prioritize Dignity: Focus on the health and dignity of incarcerated women in hygiene initiatives.

Research and Data Collection:

• Conduct research to assess the current state of menstrual hygiene in prisons.
• Gather data to identify gaps and areas for improvement.
• Use findings to inform and refine policies and practices.

Conclusion:

• Enforce existing guidelines.
• Address menstruation as a public health issue.
• Collaborate with health authorities for a comprehensive strategy.
• Conduct research to inform policy.