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

School absence during menstruation remains a major concern for female students in Odisha; According to a study on menstrual health recently published here, approximately 74% of female students miss anywhere from one to eight days of class per cycle.

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

The assessment, conducted between 28 April and 25 May in 14 regions for educational institutions and eight regions for public institutions, highlighted persistent 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 districts of Odisha, and was conducted by a group of organizations including UNICEF, Aaina, WaterAid, All India Institute of Medical Sciences Bhubaneswar and Indian Institute of Technology Bhubaneswar.

While 94% of schools surveyed had separate toilets for girls, lack of basic menstrual hygiene support systems and lack of water and soap were cited as major barriers. The study also found that about 56% of schools lack menstrual waste disposal facilities or use unsafe disposal methods, creating environmental and public health problems.

The lack of health support staff in schools is another concern; While only 27% of schools had a nurse or healthcare worker, 44% reported having a first aid kit.

Meanwhile, over the last three years, public spaces in the state capital Bhubaneswar have been inspected by teenagers using the Public Spaces Assessment Framework developed by global non-profit WRI India with input from over 800 youth.

“One of the key ongoing issues here too is the lack of inclusive and period-friendly toilets in public spaces. Based on three years of field insights, the Safe, Vibrant and Healthy Public Spaces project provides a model for inclusive toilets, which we aim to showcase in three strategic locations that see heavy foot traffic in Bhubaneswar. The initiatives will be led by Aaina’s adolescent advocates and will specifically seek to support city agencies to raise awareness of accessible and inclusive sanitation infrastructure. WRI India Urban Development, Sustainable Cities and Transport program partner Mukti “While ensuring dignity, hygiene and comfort in public spaces for women, girls and persons with disabilities,” said Swaroop Pradhan.