Menstrual hygiene should no longer be viewed as a private issue confined to homes but as a public health problem that needs national attention, Pan Health CEO Chirag Pan said.
His comments show the increasing recognition that menstrual health is central to education, work participation, gender equality, and community health in general.
Chirag Pan spoke on the need for menstrual health awareness: millions of girls and women still face barriers to accessing safe menstrual products, clean sanitation facilities, and accurate information. These barriers affect their health and in turn affect what we are able to do in school and job opportunities.
Health experts said poor menstrual hygiene can increase the risk of infections, reproductive health complications, and psychological stress. In many parts of the world, social stigma and misinformation prevent open discussions about menstruation, and therefore most young girls are unprepared when they start their first period.
Chirag Pan said improving menstrual hygiene will be achieved with the help of governments, health service providers, schools, and communities. Public awareness campaigns, affordable sanitary products, and better sanitation infrastructure are all critical to maintaining menstrual dignity for all.
The debate on menstrual health has evolved significantly in the last decade. Schools have been equipped with sanitary pads, and non-profit organizations have introduced programs to ensure clean toilets and educate teenagers about menstrual health. But much more work needs to be done, especially in rural and underprivileged areas.
Healthcare professionals say that treating menstrual hygiene as a public health issue will encourage policymakers to put money into education, healthcare, and sanitation infrastructure and to treat menstruation as a public health issue. It also helps to normalize menstruation, reducing stigma and facilitating quick medical appointments when necessary.
The economic impact of inadequate menstrual hygiene is also significant. It is common for girls to miss school during their menstrual cycle, leaving them behind in learning, while their work hours may be lost or their productivity reduced. So menstrual health is important for better education and economic participation.
Technology and innovation are also playing a growing role. Gender-inclusive menstrual products, digital health education services, and community outreach efforts are closing the gap of knowledge and accessibility.
Women’s health organizations are more frequently focusing on environmentally friendly products alongside affordability.
Menstrual health should be part of broader public health systems to address reproductive health, sanitation, nutrition, and mental health services, the experts say. In other words, to achieve gender equality and better health outcomes in countries, we have to deal with these interrelated problems.
Chirag Pan’s statement is emblematic of a shift in public conversation that menstrual hygiene is not just a personal problem but a social one we have to tackle as a society.
As awareness is raised, better policies, access to healthcare, and open conversations would ensure that every woman and girl can manage menstruation safely, confidently, and with dignity.
