An alarming 74 per cent of schoolgirls surveyed throughout Odisha skip classes during their menstrual cycles, with absenteeism lasting anywhere from one to eight days each month, according to a study on menstrual health revealed on Thursday.
The study, which took place between April 28 and May 25, evaluated educational facilities across 14 districts and public offices across eight districts, highlighting serious gaps in menstrual hygiene management, sanitation infrastructure, awareness and institutional support systems.
The survey was gathered from 177 respondents, including 121 educational institutions and 56 public facilities across both rural and urban sectors of Odisha.
This comprehensive assessment was collaboratively executed by a coalition of organizations, including Aaina, UNICEF, Saukhyam Foundation, AL2050, PCI, WaterAid, AIIMS Bhubaneswar, and IIT Bhubaneswar, working alongside local community leaders and regional stakeholders.
The findings were released at the Menstrual Health and Hygiene Conclave 2026. Themed “Rising Together: Transforming Menstrual Health as a Fundamental Right,” the event was hosted by the Odisha Menstrual Health and Hygiene Alliance (OMHH Alliance), spearheaded by Aaina in partnership with UNICEF.
Physical pain and cramping were identified as the primary drivers behind the high absenteeism rates, closely followed by a deficit in clean facilities, a lack of personal privacy, and the enduring social taboos linked to menstruation, according to the findings of the survey.
The research pointed out that while a promising 94 per cent of the surveyed schools feature separate toilets for girls, basic necessities for managing periods remain severely lacking. Consistent access to running water and hand soap in these restrooms is highly unreliable, rendering them difficult to use hygienically.
A critical concern highlighted by researchers was the widespread absence of secure methods for discarding used menstrual products. Roughly 56 per cent of the schools evaluated either lack any waste disposal system entirely or rely on hazardous open dumping, which threatens both the environment and community health, with only a fraction of institutions equipped with functional incinerators.
The report also pointed to inadequate healthcare support mechanisms in educational institutions. Only 27 per cent of schools surveyed have a nurse or health worker, while 44 per cent reported availability of first aid kits.
“Limited access to healthcare support leaves many adolescent girls without guidance or immediate assistance during menstrual health emergencies,” the report stated.
Even though nearly 73 per cent of these schools host educational sessions on menstrual hygiene, deep-rooted cultural taboos and social stigma continue to deter young girls from speaking openly about their experiences, according to the findings.
The situation proved similarly bleak within public sector institutions. Approximately 73 percent of the public facilities surveyed fail to offer sanitary napkins to female staff or visitors, while more than 31 percent lack any means of disposing of menstrual waste.
Additionally, the study emphasized that a significant portion of public facilities remain highly inaccessible to individuals living with physical disabilities.
Those surveyed called for immediate improvements, emphasizing the need for upgraded water and sanitation facilities, a steady supply of sanitary products, reliable waste management, routine educational workshops, and more robust institutional frameworks.
The publication concluded by emphasizing that managing menstrual health extends far beyond basic biology; it is fundamentally tied to human dignity, equal access to education, workplace diversity, public sanitation, and gender equity.
It urged immediate, synchronized efforts from state agencies, school administrators, healthcare providers, non-profits, and local communities to foster secure, welcoming, and empowering environments for women and girls throughout Odisha.
