In India, over one million people are affected by sickle cell disease annually, with a significant prevalence in tribal communities across states like Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, and Odisha. The disease is characterized by the production of abnormally shaped red blood cells, leading to chronic pain, infections, and other serious complications.

Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Government of India, has launched the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission, aiming to eliminate the disease as a public health problem by 2047. This mission targets to screen approximately 7.0 crore people under 40 years of age in the next 3 years, distributing genetic status cards, and prioritizing the health of tribal communities. The special focus is on Madhya Pradesh. As a response to this call for action, IPE Global Centre for Knowledge and Development (CKD) implemented a campaign to sensitise and educate school going students in Jhabua, Madhya Pradesh, on SCA. SCA is commonly found in Jhabua, and the Department of Tribal Affairs, along with the health department, have been addressing this concern, working to initiate testing and treatment of SCA. Our project Sashakt, was a successful model, on how with multi stakeholder engagement and launching an effective SBCC campaign, awareness can be build. This indeed was an important milestone in lives of many families, who by mere testing and treatment, will prevent the penetration of SCA into the future generations.

During the course of the interventions, it was found that Adolescents with SCA face a range of challenges that affect their physical health, psychological well-being, social interactions, and educational opportunities. These health issues can result in reduced exercise capacity, growth delays, and increased susceptibility to infections, which can further impair their quality of life. There are multiple facets of issues faced by an adolescent with SCA which are not limited to health only.

Psychologically, the chronic nature of the disease and its complications can lead to feelings of anxiety, depression, and social isolation. Adolescents may struggle with the burden of managing a lifelong condition, which can eventually affect their self-esteem and mental health.

Socially, the recurrent health problems associated with SCA can lead to absenteeism from school and social events, limiting adolescents’ opportunities to form friendships and participate in normal activities. This can result in a sense of alienation and hinder their social development.

From education perspective, the impact of SCA on cognitive functions such as attentiveness and memory can affect academic performance. Frequent absences from school due to illness or medical appointments can lead to gaps in learning and lower educational attainment, which can have long-term consequences on their career prospects.

The impact of sickle cell disease extends beyond the individual; it affects families and communities, hindering growth and development. Therefore, addressing sickle cell anemia is not just a health imperative but also from the socio-economic perspective.

Sickle Cell Anemia Awareness Day, observed every year on June 19th, serves as an important platform to educate the public about the disease, its challenges, and treatment options. It’s a day to advocate for those living with sickle cell anemia and to call for increased support and resources. As we commemorate Sickle Cell Anemia Awareness Day, let’s remember that it’s more than just a day of awareness—it’s a call to action. It’s a reminder that through collective efforts, we can make a significant difference in the lives of those affected by this disease.

If menstrual health and hygiene is well managed from the start, it has a surprisingly high potential to contribute to increasing female empowerment at a critical stage of a girls’ life so  Let’s get it Right:. Menstruation is a natural and essential part of the reproductive cycle experienced by menstruators worldwide. Unfortunately, it remains shrouded in stigma and misinformation, perpetuating harmful taboos that hinder women’s well-being and equality. According to the most recent National Family Health Survey (NFHS) 5, more than 30 per cent of women between the ages of 15 and 24 do not use hygienic methods of protection during their menstrual period. And have you wondered where trans men dispose their menstrual waste? To address the issue of period inclusivity, poverty and hygiene, it is crucial to start a dialogue on menstruation, break the taboos, and end the stigma surrounding this normal bodily function. By doing so, we can raise awareness about the challenges faced by menstruators regarding access to menstrual products, education about menstruation, and the need for period-friendly sanitation facilities. Mobilizing adequate funding will be essential to ensure action at scale and empower women from all walks of life.

There is need for action on 5 fronts-

Breaking the Taboos and Ending Stigma:  

To break the taboos and end the stigma surrounding menstruation, open and inclusive conversations must take place at various levels, including families, communities, educational institutions, and the media. Menstruation must be looked at through the lens of intersectionality. Access and the burden of social taboos do not cut across socio-economic layers equally. Information dissemination and myth-busting should be a priority for any work that is centred around Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management. It essential to dispel myths, challenge cultural beliefs, and provide accurate information about menstruation. By promoting a culture of acceptance and understanding, we can create an environment where women feel comfortable discussing menstruation openly and seeking the support they need. The ecosystem around a menstruating woman needs to be strengthened in order to ensure that it is conducive for all.

Women are still told not to visit temples during their periods. In many families in India, women can’t perform spiritual activities or go close to auspicious celebrations. Ankita, 36 years old, shares, “At my previous workplace, I was forced to carry my used menstrual pad back home because they didn’t want their male housekeeping staff to manage menstrual waste. They felt it brings them bad luck to see the “dirty blood.”

Mahesh(Name changed for confidentiality), a trans man from Delhi, shares the challenges he faced around access to menstrual products because periods are considered as an “only women’s” issue. “I am not sure where to dispose my pads in public toilets or toilets at work since people think only females menstruate.” Most people are unaware of the struggle transmen have to go through while they are on their periods. It indicates how less we understand periods as a society.

Educating About Menstruation:

The May ’22 report published by UNICEF states that 71% of adolescent girls in India remain unaware of menstruation until they get their first period.

Education plays a pivotal role in dismantling the barriers associated with menstruation. Comprehensive and inclusive menstrual health education should be integrated into school curricula, ensuring that young girls and boys receive accurate information about menstruation from an early age. This education should cover biological aspects, emotional well-being, hygiene practices, and the use of menstrual products. The shame attached to menstruation along with inaccessibility to menstrual hygiene has integral role to play in girls dropping out of schools. The promotion of knowledge and understanding empowers individuals to make informed choices and eliminate the fear and shame associated with menstruation.

In a heart-breaking incident that sent shockwaves throughout the country, a 12-year-old girl was brutally tortured and killed by her brother in Ulhasnagar, Thane district. The young girl had just started menstruating and had period stains on her clothes, which her brother mistook for evidence of an affair. We can tell how women’s lives are controlled by those who have never cared to know all about periods.

Addressing Challenges in Access to Menstrual Products:

Lack of access to affordable and hygienic menstrual products is a significant challenge faced by menstruators in many parts of the world. This issue hampers their ability to participate fully in social, educational, and economic activities. Governments, NGOs, and private entities must work together to ensure the availability and affordability of menstrual products, especially in marginalized communities. Additionally, initiatives promoting reusable and sustainable alternatives can contribute to long-term environmental and economic benefits. According to NFHS-5, access to safe menstrual practices is inversely proportional to their economic status.

Pakistani Hindu refugee women who have been living at Signature bridge in the capital of the country have had no access to menstrual products. They use dry leaf and lose soil to manage their period flow. It is shocking to come across these stories in 2023.

Creating Period-Friendly Sanitation Facilities:

Inadequate sanitation facilities pose a severe challenge for menstruators during menstruation. Many public spaces, schools, and workplaces need clean and private toilets, proper waste disposal systems, and access to water. This not only compromises women’s health but also leads to their exclusion and discomfort. Governments and organizations should prioritize constructing and maintaining period-friendly sanitation facilities, including separate toilets equipped with clean water, sanitary bins, and handwashing facilities. Such efforts will contribute to women’s and girls’ overall well-being and dignity.

Mobilizing Funding for Action at Scale:

To effectively address the challenges related to menstruation, sufficient funding is crucial. Governments, philanthropic organizations, and the private sector should allocate resources to support comprehensive menstrual health programs. These funds can be utilized to establish education programs, provide access to affordable menstrual products, and improve sanitation facilities. Mobilizing funding at a larger scale will enable sustainable change, ensuring that all women, regardless of their socioeconomic status, have access to the support and resources they need.

Even though available infrastructure is a major starting point to ensure equity in access to Menstrual Hygiene and Health, starting a dialogue on menstruation, breaking the taboos, and ending the stigma surrounding this natural bodily function is essential for women’s empowerment and gender equality. By raising awareness about the challenges related to access to menstrual products, education, and period-friendly sanitation facilities, we can create a more inclusive and supportive society. Mobilizing adequate funding is crucial to implement sustainable initiatives at scale. Through these combined efforts, we can ensure that menstruation ceases to be a source of shame and instead becomes a catalyst for positive change. There is a need for strategic partnerships among multiple stakeholders to ensure diverse reach for the cause.

There are hopes for the day when no menstruator will face period poverty, no trans man will feel ashamed of buying pads off the counter and no girl will be told to not participate in any activity because she was menstruating.