Menstrual Hygiene in Indian Prisons
Ensuring menstrual hygiene in Indian prisons is essential for the dignity and health of female inmates. Challenges include inadequate facilities, lack of access to sanitary products, and stigmatization, necessitating comprehensive reforms and policy interventions to improve prison conditions.
Status and Challenges
- Population and Needs: 23,772 women in Indian prisons, 77% likely regular menstruators.
- Inconsistent Access: Availability and quality of sanitary napkins vary widely; many prisons do not meet the 2016 Model Prison Manual recommendations for water and washroom facilities.
- Overcrowding: Limited facilities, with many women sharing few toilets, exacerbates hygiene issues.
- Injury and Infections: Research in a Maharashtra prison highlighted insufficient water, sanitation, ....