Lack of privacy, toilets, persistent stigma forces girls in Odisha to miss school during menstruation

Absenteeism from school during menstruation continues to be a major concern for female students across Odisha, with nearly 74% of them missing anywhere between one to eight days of classes per cycle, according to a study on menstrual health released here recently. 

The assessment identified pain and discomfort as the primary reasons for absenteeism. Lack of privacy, inadequate facilities, and persistent social stigma surrounding menstruation are also major challenges. 

The assessment, conducted between April 28 and May 25 across 14 districts for educational institutions, and eight districts for public institutions, highlighted continued gaps in menstrual hygiene management, sanitation infrastructure, awareness, and institutional support systems. 

The survey covered 177 respondents, including 121 schools and 56 public institutions from rural and urban areas in Odisha, and was carried out by a group of organisations, including UNICEF, Aaina, WaterAid, All India Institute of Medical Sciences Bhubaneswar, and Indian Institute of Technology Bhubaneswar. 

While 94% of the schools surveyed had separate toilets for girls, the lack of basic menstrual hygiene support systems, and non-availability of water and soap were cited as major hurdles. The study also found that around 56% of schools either lacked menstrual waste disposal facilities or relied on unsafe disposal methods, creating environmental and public health concerns. 

The lack of healthcare support staff within schools is another area of concern, with only 27% of schools having a nurse or health worker, while 44% reported having first aid kits. 

Meanwhile, over the past three years, public spaces in Bhubaneswar, the State capital, have been audited by adolescents using the Public Spaces Assessment Framework developed by the World Resources Institute (WRI) India, a global non-profit, with inputs from over 800 young people. 

“Here, too, one of the key issues that persists is the lack of inclusive and period-friendly toilets in public spaces. Building on three years of field insights, the Safe, Vibrant, and Healthy Public Spaces project offers a model for inclusive toilets that we aim to demonstrate at three strategic locations across Bhubaneswar, which see high footfalls. The initiatives will be led by adolescent champions of Aaina, seeking to support city agencies to build awareness around accessible and inclusive sanitation infrastructure, especially for women, girls, and persons with disabilities, while ensuring dignity, hygiene and comfort in public spaces for everyone,” Mukti Swaroop Pradhan, programme associate, Urban Development, Sustainable Cities and Transport, WRI India, said.