New Delhi – The Government of India is supporting States and Union Territories (UT) for the implementation of ‘Menstrual Hygiene Scheme’ for adolescent girls aged 10 to 19 as per proposal received from the States and UTs in their Program Implementation Plans.
The scheme encompasses increasing awareness among adolescent girls on menstrual hygiene and use of high quality sanitary napkins by adolescent girls residing primarily in rural areas.
The scheme ensures safe disposal of sanitary napkins in an environmental friendly manner and provide ASHAs, the funds to hold monthly meetings with adolescents and discussing issues related to menstrual hygiene.
A range of ‘Information, Education and Communication’ (IEC) material has been developed around maintenance of good menstrual health, using 360 degree approach to create awareness about safe and hygienic menstrual health practices which includes audio, video, reading contents and job-aids for ASHAs and other field level functionaries for communicating with adolescent girls.
Adolescent girls are provided sanitary napkins at a subsidized rate through ASHAs.
