Lack of privacy, toilets, persistent stigma force girls in Odisha to miss school during menstruation

📌 Summary:

• A recent study on menstrual health found that nearly 74% of female students across Odisha miss between one and eight days of school per menstrual cycle
• The primary cause of absenteeism is pain and discomfort; lack of privacy, inadequate facilities (toilets), and persistent social stigma around menstruation are also major barriers
• The findings expose gaps in school WASH infrastructure and menstrual hygiene management that undermine girls' education and gender equity

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS2 Governance / GS1 Society — menstrual hygiene management, gender gaps in education, school WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene), and social stigma.

🔑 Key Term: Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) — access to information, safe products, privacy, water and sanitation needed to manage menstruation with dignity.