Every three in four women, girls face barriers to accessing menstrual hygiene products in Bangladesh: Study

WaterAid Bangladesh reveals alarming gaps in menstrual hygiene management (MHM) in the country, especially for women and girls from low-income communities. The findings were announced yesterday (5 February) in a result sharing event arranged for the NGO's research project titled, "Landscape Study and Comparative Analysis on Feasibility and Acceptability of MHM Products in Bangladesh". 

The study identifies significant issues such as affordability, lack of awareness, and the cultural stigma surrounding menstruation as the causes of such aversions towards menstrual hygiene products. 

The discrepancy regarding affordability is apparent in the study's findings, where 91% of women in low-income communities choose to use cloth instead of menstrual pads due to the high costs associated with sanitary products. 

The study also revealed a concerning lack of awareness around alternative MHM products. Only 27% of women are aware of reusable menstrual products such as pads, and just 13% know about menstrual cups. Lack of awareness, high cost, and limited availability are the major barriers to adoption of these products. These alternate products could resolve the environmental issues caused by disposable period products, such as the accumulation of non-biodegradable menstrual waste. 

Many women face additional barriers to acquiring menstruation products, including the lack of adequate infrastructure. According to the study, 77% of women face difficulties in obtaining MHM products owing to a lack of appropriate menstrual hygiene facilities in schools and workplaces. 

To overcome this problem, the study suggests that policymakers should reduce the cost of sanitary products and increase subsidies to make alternatives more affordable for everyone. There is also a need to promote eco-friendly reusable menstruation products. Menstrual hygiene should be prioritised in schools and workplaces by providing private, well-ventilated spaces. Furthermore, community-led initiatives should involve men, boys, and local leaders in order to fight menstruation stigmas and promote inclusion. 

To guarantee that every woman and child in the nation has access to menstruation products that are safe, reasonably priced, and environmentally friendly, WaterAid Bangladesh is urging collaboration between the public and private sectors, as well as communities and NGOs.