The NFHS report also shows that States with more female literacy like Kerala and Tamilnadu showed more awareness amongst women about menstruation and also the increased use of menstrual pad and hygienic menstrual practices. This is an indicator as to what needs to be done.
Health education and awareness of the reproductive cycle and the importance of the menstrual cycle could thus be the main step. Including menstrual hygiene in the school curriculum, educating the women through mass media, the internet can also go a long way. Videos relating to menstrual hygiene can also be played in various women’s health centres, government hospitals and Schools.
Women in India are still not very comfortable discussing in public about reproductive health. Spreading awareness using digital technology and smartphones could make her seek information proactively, as she can get information in the privacy of her home at the click of a button, saving her the embarrassment. Technology could thus be used to democratize health information.
