Menstrual Hygiene Management in poor/needy Communities in Hyderabad, India

While we have progressed to the 75th year of independence, the issue of Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) is still given a low priority and less focus. Although Governments and NGOs implement drives to provide sanitary pads or clean and soft cotton wool, fabric etc., but its reach in the community is still rare.

The needy/poor community members still experience difficulties or are denied access to government schemes that could support health. In addition, they face a lack of essential amenities for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, and financial constraints in purchasing commercial sanitary pads.

This project, proposed in poor/needy communities in Hyderabad, India, seeks to implement and evaluate an intervention that works on known roadblocks to sustainable and healthy MHM and lower access to amenities for health and well-being. The project includes developing, implementing, and evaluating a planned behaviour change intervention that works on informed choice and facilitation. Best practices and solutions derived from this project will be used to replicate for expansion in other communities.

With this project, we propose a comprehensive solution through an MHM kit which will address the most common problems or roadblocks expressed by communities. The project intends to engage the entire community in opening the discussion or talk around the MHM.

Our TGI, India researchers and Good Universe teams have years of experience and commitment in this area through their research and advocacy. We are well-placed to strengthen our work on sustainable MHM in poor/needy communities of Hyderabad, India.

The project duration would be for 2 years divided into 3 phases. These are: -

1)   Exploratory phase (6 months): We will build rapport with the communities, establish project team on the ground and engage community in our situation analysis. We will also facilitate health camps.

2)   Intervention (12 months): We will conduct information sessions and facilitate community activities. In addition, girls and women will receive detailed information and guidance on the use and post-use treatment techniques of various MHM options.

3)   Dissemination and advocacy (6 months): In partnership with our project participants, we will convene workshops with various stakeholders. We will also publish our results on popular print and audio-visual media and in policy seminars, academic journals, and conferences. 

With this project, we plan to target 6,600 beneficiaries both directly and indirectly in the poor/needy communities (refugee settlement, and urban slums) of Hyderabad, India. Our target group would be young women between the age group of 13 and 17, and women in the age group of 18-54.

Hence, the overall impact expected are: -

• Communities adopting the MHM practices for improved health, acceptability, convenience, affordability, and sustainability.

• increased awareness of ecological and economic sustainability in general.

• raised communication on health and well-being in the communities.

• evidence for further work; and

• advocacy for provision to promote healthy and sustainable MHM beyond the project communities.