Menstrual Hygiene in India: A Critical Lens for GS Paper I, II, and Essay

 

Menstrual Hygiene in India: A Critical Lens for GS Paper I, II, and Essay

Introduction: More Than Just a "Women's Issue"

For a UPSC aspirant, every social issue is a potential case study intersecting multiple dimensions of the syllabus. The story of Lalita from Bihar, managing her periods with torn cloth, is not just a heart-wrenching anecdote; it is a condensed representation of deep-seated challenges in Indian society—challenges that directly map onto the General Studies papers. This blog deconstructs the issue of menstrual hygiene through the lens of the UPSC syllabus, making it an indispensable topic for your preparation.

Why is this Topic Crucial for UPSC?

The issue of menstrual hygiene sits at the confluence of:

• GS Paper I (Society): Role of women, poverty, developmental issues, urbanization, and their problems.

• GS Paper II (Governance & Social Justice): Government policies, issues relating to health, education, human resources, and welfare schemes.

• GS Paper III (Economy): Inclusive growth, issues of poverty, and human capital formation.

• Essay: Themes like gender equality, social justice, health equity, and rural-urban divides are perennial favourites.

Ignoring it means leaving a high-yield, multidimensional topic unprepared.

Deconstructing the Issue: Syllabus Mapping

Let's break down the provided article into core UPSC themes.

1. Social Issues & Sociology (GS Paper I)

• Patriarchy and Social Taboos: The article highlights "deeply-entrenched social taboos" that exclude women from social and religious activities. This reflects the persistent patriarchal norms that control female sexuality and bodily autonomy.

• Urban-Rural Divide: The stark disparity in hygienic product usage (56% rural vs. 74.7% urban in Bihar) is a classic example of the developmental imbalance between urban and rural India, a key area in GS Paper I.

• Tribal Marginalization: The case of the Juang tribe in Odisha (85% using old cloth) underscores the compounded vulnerabilities faced by Scheduled Tribes, a critical component of the "Social Empowerment" section.

2. Governance & Social Justice (GS Paper II)

• Health: This is the core. Poor menstrual hygiene leads to Reproductive Tract Infections (RTIs), fungal infections, and long-term gynaecological issues, representing a massive failure in public health delivery, especially primary healthcare in rural areas.

• Education: The 23% school dropout rate linked to menstruation (Dasra report) is a direct governance challenge. It connects the Right to Education to basic infrastructure like functional, separate toilets for girls—a policy implementation failure.

• Government Schemes: The Menstrual Hygiene Scheme (MHS) is a direct policy response. Aspirants must know its objectives, implementation challenges (noted in the article, e.g., supply chain issues post-COVID), and its measured outcomes (e.g., the 10.6% rise in usage in Assam/Tripura).

3. Economic Development (GS Paper III)

• Poverty and Affordability: Mr. Babbar's quote perfectly encapsulates the economic dimension: for a poor family, sanitary pads are a "non-essential luxury" compared to food. This is a brutal example of the trade-offs imposed by income poverty.

• Human Capital & GDP: The article makes a direct economic argument: girls dropping out of school limits their earning potential, suppresses Female Labour Force Participation Rate (FLFPR), and drags down national GDP. This links individual health to macro-economic performance.

4. Essay Paper
This topic is a goldmine for essays on themes like:

• "Health is a fundamental human right, and yet..."

• "The price of neglect: How social stigma impacts economic progress"

• "India in 2025: Can we bridge the rural-urban divide?"

Previous Year Questions (PYQs) - A Reality Check

Understanding how this topic is asked is key. Here are relevant questions from the last 8 years.

Prelims (Fact-Based)

1. Consider the following statements: (2022)

1. The Constitution of India defines a ‘Minority’ based on religion or language.

2. The Constitution of India does not define the term ‘Minority’.

3. The Government of India has notified six communities as ‘Minority’ communities.
   How many of the above statements are correct?
   (a) Only one
   (b) Only two
   (c) All three
   (d) None

Explanation: While not directly on menstruation, this tests knowledge of constitutional provisions for vulnerable groups (like minorities and by extension, marginalized women). The correct answer is (b). Statement 1 is incorrect and 2 & 3 are correct. The Constitution does not define 'Minority'; it's determined by the government, which has notified 6 communities: Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Parsis, and Jains.

2. In the context of India, which of the following is/are considered to be the practice(s) of untouchability? (2020)

1. Swapping gifts between spouses during a marriage ceremony.

2. Not accepting food or drink from a person of another caste.

3. Cleaning the clothes of a person of another caste.
   Select the correct answer using the code given below:
   (a) 1 and 2 only
   (b) 2 and 3 only
   (c) 1 only
   (d) 1, 2 and 3

Explanation: This question tests understanding of deep-seated social discrimination, which is the same bedrock that sustains menstrual taboos. All three are practices of untouchability. Answer is (d).

3. Which of the following is/are the aim/aims of the “Digital India” Plan of the Government of India? (2018)

1. Formation of India’s own Internet companies like China did.

2. Establish a policy framework to encourage overseas multinational corporations that collect Big Data to build their large data centres within our national geographical boundaries.

3. Connect many of our villages to the Internet and bring Wi-Fi to many of our schools, public places and major tourist centres.
   Select the correct answer using the code given below:
   (a) 1 and 2 only
   (b) 3 only
   (c) 2 and 3 only
   (d) 1, 2 and 3

Explanation: Digital infrastructure (Statement 3) is crucial for spreading awareness about schemes like the Menstrual Hygiene Scheme in rural areas. The correct answer is (b) 3 only.

Mains (Analytical)

• 2021 (GS I): “Though women in post-Independent India have excelled in various fields, the social attitude towards women and the feminist movement has been patriarchal.” Apart from women’s education and women’s entry into the workforce, what other measures do you suggest to improve the status of women in India?

• 2019 (GS II): Despite Consistent experience of high growth, India still goes with the lowest indicators of human development. Examine the issues that make balanced and inclusive development elusive.

• 2017 (GS II): “To ensure effective implementation of policies addressing the needs of the poor, the policy makers need to be sensitive to the ground realities.” Explain with suitable examples. (The gap between building toilets and maintaining them is a perfect example).

Key Terms and Concepts for Notes

• Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM)

• Period Poverty

• Menstrual Hygiene Scheme (MHS)

• Reproductive Tract Infections (RTIs)

• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 (Good Health), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 6 (Clean Water & Sanitation)

• Female Labour Force Participation Rate (FLFPR)

• Human Capital Formation

• Social Stigma & Taboos

• Suo-Motu (Period Leaves) Debate

Way Forward: A Holistic Approach for Answers

In your Mains answers, suggest a multi-pronged strategy:

1. Affordability: Subsidize sanitary products further, promote low-cost alternatives (menstrual cups), and include them under the Public Distribution System (PDS).

2. Awareness: Integrate comprehensive, scientific, and destigmatized menstrual education into the school curriculum from an early age (for all genders).

3. Infrastructure: Ensure functional, clean, and separate toilets with water and disposal facilities in all schools and public places. The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Grameen) must focus on this.

4. Breaking Taboos: Use community leaders, ASHA workers, and local media to normalize conversations around menstruation.

5. Robust Implementation: Strengthen the supply chain of the Menstrual Hygiene Scheme and monitor outcomes regularly.

Conclusion

For the UPSC aspirant, Lalita's story is a powerful reminder that behind every dry statistic in an economic survey or a policy document, there is a human reality. Mastering this topic equips you not just with facts, but with the empathy and analytical depth to craft compelling answers that can set you apart in the examination hall.

Stay Informed. Stay Prepared.
- Team Suryavanshi IAS