New Delhi, March 13. In a strong statement against the stigmatization of menstruation, AAP MP Raghav Chadha in the Rajya Sabha said on Friday that the nation cannot truly call itself progressive if 35 crore women and girls are unable to speak about menstrual hygiene without shame or fear.
“Menstrual hygiene is not charity. It is not a favour. It is not a minor issue. It is a matter of health, education, and equality. Above all, it is a matter of dignity,” Chadha said in the upper house.
“If a girl misses school because there are no sanitary pads, no water, and no privacy, it is not her personal problem. It is our collective failure,” the MP said.
He further stated, “We live in a country where alcohol and cigarettes are sold openly, but sanitary pads are still wrapped in newspapers as if they must be hidden. Somewhere along the way, society turned a biological fact into a social taboo. A matter of science has been turned into a matter of silence.”
In a post on X, Chadha wrote, “I raised this issue in Parliament today because it affects over 35 crore women and girls in India. A nation cannot truly call itself progressive if millions of girls still face fear, shame, and silence for something so basic. The true test of progress is simple: the day every girl in India can go to school, live with dignity, and speak about this without stigma, that will be the day we can truly say our society has moved forward.”
According to the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development, the National Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS 5) data shows that the percentage of women aged 15-24 years using hygienic methods during their menstrual cycles has risen from 57.6 per cent in NFHS-4 to 77.3 per cent in NFHS-5.
The Department of Pharmaceuticals under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers implements the Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janausadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP), which is an important step in ensuring the health security for women.
Under the project, over 16,000 Janaushidhi Kendras have been set up across the country, providing Oxo-biodegradable sanitary napkins named 'Suvidha' at Rs 1 per pad.
These sanitary napkins are also environmentally friendly, as they are made with Oxo-biodegradable material that complies with ASTM D-6954 (biodegradability test) standards. As of November 30, 2025, the cumulative sales of Suvidha Napkins were 96.30 crores, according to an official statement.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare also implements a Scheme for Promotion of Menstrual Hygiene (MH) to improve it among adolescent girls (10–19 years).
The scheme focuses on increasing awareness about MH, enhancing access to sanitary napkins, and promoting safe and environmentally friendly disposal practices.
The Ministry formulated the MH Policy for School Going Girls following detailed deliberations with the line Ministries, according to a statement.
It streamlines access to low-cost MH products, gender-segregated toilets, and safe disposal facilities, promotes MH education in the school curriculum, and prioritises sensitisation and awareness in all schools.
One of the objectives of the ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ (BBBP) component of ‘Mission Shakti’ is to generate awareness about MH and the use of sanitary napkins, according to a statement.