MH Day Celebration 2018

Round Table discussion on the disposal mechanism of the soiled sanitary napkins in the current scenario.

On the eve of MH Day 2018, Aaina, Water Aid, Cifar & NAWO collaboratively organised two programs to mark the day; 1. A round table consultation on Menstrual waste management with the policy makers, practitioners, CSOs to find out what are the current programs and policies in place to take care of the menstrual waste management and to take a note on its implementation.

For the round table discussion- representatives of State Pollution control board, Municipal corporation, School & Mass education dept., Women & Child Development dept. NGOs, researchers, etc. had joined and shared their view. The highlights of the discussion were;

  • Till yet menstrual waste management (MWM) is not seen as an issue both from health and environment context.
  • The recent policy Solid Waste Management rule 2016 of Government says  MWM as a bio medical waste and should be collected as household hazardous category by the municipals/NACs.
  • Hence, each municipal corporation has a role to collect and segregate the waste and it’s management.
  • It also threw some light on the responsibility of the producers of the (commercial sanitary pads) to manage the waste in an environment friendly manner.
  • Menstrual waste not visible because it’s not collected properly and its mixed up with other household wastes
  • Incinerators introduced by Govt. at schools are also not safe for the environment and health as it’s not maintaining the temperature standard laid out in the guidline i.e.1050 degree Centigrade.Some recommendations given:-
  • Convergence among the key departments is he first step to discuss about the issue as govt. has recently declared to distribute 17 lakhs school going girl with free sanitary napkin.
  • Pilot project to start incinerating the menstrual waste of a small urban area to the central incinerators mandated for bio medical waste management.
  • Campaign by the municipal corporation for segregation of collection of MW.
  • Use of separate bins/colour code of storage of these waste for easy identification should be promoted.
  • Small study on the existing guildlines and schemes that talks about the menstrual waste management or at least has a scope to do.
  • Promotion of re-usable menstrual absorbents

2. Around 150 adolescents gathered to discuss and put forward their opinion about menstruation and myths and practices through bowl game, film show and quiz competition.

To start with there was a film screening for 30 mins about the science of menstruation, myths and facts and hygiene messages followed with discussion. after that the girls were divided into 3 group; one group for bowl game, second group for snake & ladder, third group for quiz competition.

Event Details

  • Date:
  • Organisation: Aaina & Water Aid & NAWO & CFAR
  • Event link: