Page 61 - HUDCO-SHELTER-OCT21

POLICY REVIEW

Some of them are listed the menstrual cycle. Lack to a lack of sanitation
below– of accessibility to proper facilities at or near the
and safe menstrual home.
• Open Defecation: absorbents is another
Women, especially young issue. ACCESS TO
women, avoid going out SANITATION IN INDIA
during daylight hours • Gender- based
and use coping strategies Violence: It has been A number of laws and
such as limiting their reported that incidents policies have been enforced
food and liquid intake of violence against by the central government
during the day. These women, including sexual and state governments to
activities can lead to violence, can be due address sanitation issues in
health issues including India. Despite greater focus
urinary tract infections,
chronic constipation, and Fig. 3: State of Sanitation Facilities in Slums: Temporary and
other gastric disorders, open bathing areas
as well as safety concerns
associated with going to
the toilet in the dark.

• Absence of Clean
and Safe Toilets:
The absence of clean
and efficient toilets at
schools, workplaces and
public spaces has gender
implications where
women and girls have to
suffer due to unhygienic
infrastructure.

• Menstrual Hygiene
Management: Women
and girls are subjected
to many restrictions as
a result of the societal
stigma surrounding
menstr uation.
Restrictions apply to
both the household and
societal levels. The lack
of sanitation and hygiene
facilities at home, in
educational institutions,
in workplaces, and public
spaces amplifies the
difficulties of handling Source: Author, Slum surveys in Bhopal and Delhi

October 2021 Volume 22 No. 2 - SHELTER 59