Hyderabad:Government schools in Hyderabad continue to rely on non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives for sanitary napkins and menstrual hygiene awareness. Teachers say inadequate toilet facilities and social stigma leave some girls uncomfortable at school and lead to missed classes.
At a government high school in Khairatabad, sanitary napkins have been supplied to students, but teachers say such support is not consistent across schools.
A student at a government high school in Malakpet said: “We get packets once every two months. Most of us did not know how to use them. We recently had an awareness session and started using them.”
Despite growing attention to menstrual hygiene, several schools lack regular supplies of sanitary napkins and clean, functional washrooms. Teachers say stigma also prevents girls from discussing their concerns openly, affecting attendance and, in some cases, their education.
“There is a lot that needs to be done in government high schools. We do not even have to go to villages; there is considerable stigma in the city itself,” said Thanvi Shree, a postgraduate in hospital management who volunteers in menstrual hygiene awareness. “Girls face uncomfortable looks when they try to speak about menstrual hygiene. Many have told me they receive hygiene kits but are not comfortable using them.”
Teachers and headmasters in Hyderabad and other districts told Deccan Chronicle that much of the support for sanitary napkins and awareness programmes comes from NGOs through CSR activities.
R. Sharada, a headmistress in Sangareddy, said teachers and headmasters often had to contact CSR organisations and seek assistance themselves. School managements should encourage girls to maintain menstrual hygiene, attend classes regularly and speak about any difficulties, she said.
Another teacher said science teachers conducted awareness sessions, but schools did not receive sanitary napkins regularly from the government and remained largely dependent on NGOs.
Teachers said the situation was gradually improving, but some girls still felt uncomfortable attending school during menstruation. Poorly maintained toilets and inadequate cleanliness further discouraged them from using school facilities.
The issue has drawn attention after the Supreme Court warned states and Union Territories that their chief secretaries could face contempt notices for failing to report on measures to provide menstrual hygiene facilities in schools. The next hearing is scheduled for December 14.
The court’s intervention has renewed focus on the availability of sanitary napkins, functional toilets and safe disposal facilities—and on whether these are reaching students.
Teachers say consistent government supplies, better-maintained washrooms and regular awareness programmes are essential to ensure that menstruation does not keep girls out of school.
In private schools, managements provide sanitary napkins, according to the report. If a student feels uncomfortable, her parents are called to take her home.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: deccanchronicle.com
