Menstrual Hygiene is a critical aspect of women’s and girl’s health and well-being, yet it is often overlooked and stigmatized. Access to menstrual products and proper facilities for managing menstruation is limited in many parts of the world, leading to missed school days and lost workdays for women and girls, as well as increased risk of infections. There are many different viewpoints on the appropriate role of government, private and NGOs in regulating and provide female menstrual products to young girls and women. However, there are compelling arguments for why policies to Regulating and Subsidizing female menstrual products may be necessary.
Access to menstrual products is a basic human need, yet many people struggle to afford them. In different countries, a lack of access to menstrual products has been linked to missed school days and lost workdays, which can have negative impacts on education and employment. Subsidizing or providing free menstrual products may help to alleviate this issue.
Some argue that menstrual products should be considered a necessity, similar to toilet paper or soap, and should be provided in public restrooms or schools. Providing these products in public places could help to reduce the stigma surrounding menstrual health.
There are also environmental considerations to take into account. Many menstrual products, such as disposable pads and tampons, create a significant amount of waste. Regulating the production and disposal of these products, or promoting the use of reusable alternatives, could help to reduce the environmental impact of menstruation.
Some argue that because menstrual products are a necessity for half of the population, their cost should be covered by the government as a basic health care expense.
Overall, there are many complex issues to consider when developing a policing on regulating and subsidizing female menstrual products, however, it may be helpful to gather input from a variety of stakeholders, including healthcare professionals, educators, policymakers, and members of the public, to help inform the development of a comprehensive and effective policy