A Comparison of India & US Menstrual Health Equity Policy

Abstract

Menstrual poverty is defined as the inability to afford to adequately and hygienically manage menstrual flow due to a limited access to free or affordable menstrual products. Globally, menstruating individuals miss work or school due to the inability to manage their menstrual flow. This significant global health inequity is underrecognized and complicated by stigma which hinders discussion and policy development. The purpose of this article is to compare policies addressing menstrual poverty in two countries: India and the United States. There is a paucity of data comparing the policies addressing menstrual poverty.  The findings highlight the variations in approach and implementation across both countries. Guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the World Health Organization’s framework on health equity, this policy review examines diverse strategies aimed to mitigate menstrual health inequities. Approaches to address the menstrual poverty problem include tax exemption or reduction on menstrual products, provision of low-cost or free products, increased access to menstrual products in schools, and the development of menstrual leave policies which serve as the criteria for policy investigation. An interprofessional, collaborative study group was created between two university entities. The group examined existing policies regarding menstrual health equity. Menstrual health policy was searched using online electronic databases and federal, state, and local policies for both countries. Geographic information system (GIS) maps are used to provide a visual representation of the gaps in policy in both countries. The findings indicate the need for more resources applied to address menstrual health poverty.