Persons with disabilities (PwDs), girls and women with impairments are especially vulnerable, facing the double burden of being female and having a disability. Menstruation, a basic physiological aspect of sexual and reproductive health (SRH), is deeply affected for girls and women with disabilities. Such persons suffer greater disadvantages in care and support of their menstruation and require the education, social environment, products and materials, water, hygiene and sanitation (WASH) facilities, plus additional support to overcome the challenges and barriers they face due to their disability.
Menstrual health and hygiene (MHH) involve the capacity to manage menstruation with dignity and ease, supported by reliable access to information, necessary supplies, and appropriate infrastructure. It also includes systemic elements that link menstruation to health, gender equality, empowerment, and wider social considerations. PwD girls and women’s require menstrual care that honors their preferences while ensuring their hygiene, comfort, privacy, and safety. This necessitates support services such as WASH facilities at schools, learning centres and other educational places equip with water, soap and proper disposable options, along with access to effective and affordable menstrual products like, pads, underwear and clothes. Adolescents and adults with disabilities often face significant challenges in maintaining good menstrual health due to factors such as limited mobility, cognitive impairments, difficulties with self-care, and socio-cultural barriers linked to being female with a disability.
Additionally, menstruating girls and women with different types of disabilities have unique needs. Individuals with upper body and arm mobility limitations may struggle to position sanitary products correctly and manage personal hygiene. Those with vision impairments, whether blind or low vision, may find it hard to determine if they have cleaned themselves properly. Meanwhile, girls and women with intellectual and developmental disabilities may require specialized support to understand and manage MHH effectively.
Attention is thus needed to support policy and guidance on menstrual needs across the life course and among particular vulnerable populations isolated from view. Although menstrual health is gaining recognition as a public health issue connected to human rights and the achievement of sustainable development goals, it has not yet been universally prioritized. Therefore, it is essential to take necessary steps and formulate policies to provide adequate support for these vulnerable groups.
Furthermore, interventions targeting visually impaired girls and women can include the development of MHH focused Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials in Braille as well in Indian Sign Language (ISL) for hearing impairments and audio or experiential formats, as needed by persons with visual impairments. Additionally, leveraging digital platforms can enhance information sharing process. The parents and caregivers develop their own methods for MHH, so that they can manage menstrual hygiene independently. In some cases, parents look for long term solution, opt for surgery (e.g. hysterectomy), which reduces the need of menstrual management and removed the risk of unwanted pregnancy.
To support these efforts, it is essential to provide specialized training to key stakeholders, including parents, teachers, special educators, healthcare providers, and frontline workers, on effective MHH care. Additionally, it is important of engaging boys, men, community stakeholders, and influencers to counter stereotypes associated with menstruation and disability. NGOs and Anganwadi workers can play a vital role by organizing awareness programs to help manage pre-menstrual symptoms and menstrual pain effectively. By addressing their unique needs through education, awareness, accessible products, and stakeholder involvement, we can ensure dignity, comfort, and equality in menstrual management, fostering empowerment and well-being.
