Lok Sabha Question No. 2994 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-13
Subject: Menstrual Hygiene Management in Tamil Nadu
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Ms. S Jothimani

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 2994 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.12.2024

## MENSTRUALHYGIENE MANAGEMENT IN TAMILNADU

## 2994. MS S. JOTHIMANI:

Will the Minister of HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether any workshops were conducted in collaboration with UNICEF on Menstrual Hygiene Management in Tamil Nadu during the last five years;
- (b) if so, the details of the number of beneficiaries, year-wise;
- (c) whether the Government has taken any steps to improve disposal mechanisms of menstrual waste for adolescent girls in the State; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof, and if not the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)

- (a) and (b) The State of Tamil Nadu implements the menstrual hygiene programme since 2011 with the Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine (DPH&PM) being the nodal Department for the same . The programme is implemented using funds from both the State Government and the National Health Mission.

Online training and Review meetings are conducted in a coordinated manner by the Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine and State NHM.

The year wise details of beneficiaries covered are as under.

| Year      | Target beneficiaries   | Beneficiaries covered   | Percentage coverage   |
|-----------|------------------------|-------------------------|-----------------------|
| 2020-2021 | 31,63,023              | 29,73,241               | 94%                   |
| 2021-2022 | 31,63,023              | 30,36,502               | 96%                   |
| 2022-2023 | 43,34,727              | 43,34,727               | 100%                  |
| 2023-2024 | 43,34,727              | 40,10,310               | 93%                   |
| 2024-2025 | 43,34,727              | 39,84,199               | 92%                   |

As per the information received from the State of Tamil Nadu, UNICEF has not been involved in Menstrual Hygiene Management Programme in the State so far.

(c) and (d) The Menstrual Hygiene Scheme is implemented to increase awareness on menstrual hygiene, increase access to sanitary napkins by adolescent girls and promote safe disposal of sanitary napkins in an environmentally friendly manner like deep pit burial ,burning, incinerators after due environmental clearances.

Information Education and Communication material developed by the Ministry of Health creates awareness on healthy practices during menstruation and safe disposal of menstrual hygiene products.

The Menstrual Hygiene Policy for school going girls focusses on availability and accessibility of safe and low-cost menstrual hygiene products in all Government and Government-aided schools for girls. Further, it incorporates important aspects as sustainable and environment friendly menstrual waste disposal practices in schools, such as the use of menstrual waste bins/receptacles, deep burial, or other safe methods by establishing functional linkages with relevant departments and collaboration with local authorities to streamline menstrual waste management.

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