Menstrual Hygiene Infrastructure in India Is Broken. If an Auto Driver Can Fix It, Why Can’t We?
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In a Bengaluru street, an autorickshaw is quietly doing what much of India’s formal infrastructure still hasn’t.
The auto is stocked with sanitary pads, clean drinking water, Wi-Fi, books, a fan - and even emergency support for women. The driver didn’t do this as CSR, branding, or compliance. He did it because menstruation is real, and people deserve dignity when it happens.
This raises an uncomfortable but necessary question:
If one individual can prioritise menstrual hygiene, why are hotels, gyms, offices, stadiums, and public spaces still failing women every day?
The Truth: Menstrual Hygiene Infrastructure in India Is Incomplete
India has made progress in talking about periods, but infrastructure has not kept up with awareness.
Even today:
- Many public toilets have no sanitary pads
- Disposal systems are missing or unsafe
- Women are expected to “manage” on their own
- Menstruation is still treated as a private inconvenience, not a public health reality
According to national data, millions of women still lack consistent access to safe, chemical-free sanitary pads, especially outside their homes. The problem isn’t just affordability. It’s availability, design, and dignity.
Where the System Breaks Down
Menstrual hygiene isn’t only about pads. It’s about where and how women exist in public spaces.
1. Public & Semi-Public Spaces Ignore Period Reality
Hotels, airports, offices, gyms, malls, stadiums, most washrooms still assume:
“If you’re on your period, you’ll figure it out.”
This leads to:
- Panic situations
- Unsafe pad borrowing
- Using tissue or paper substitutes
- Extended use of one pad (risking rashes & infection)
2. Health Is Compromised for Convenience
Many available pads:
- Contain plastics
- Include fragrance and toxins
- Cause rashes, itching, and discomfort
This is why chemical-free sanitary pads are no longer a luxury, they’re a health necessity.
The Bengaluru Auto Driver Shows What Real Care Looks Like
The auto driver didn’t just offer a ride, he offered menstrual support.
Think about that:
- No embarrassment
- No questions asked
- Pads available when needed
This is exactly how menstrual hygiene infrastructure should work:
Invisible, accessible, and stigma-free
If a small auto can do this, so can:
- Hotels and resorts
- Corporate offices
- Co-working spaces
- Educational institutions
- Event venues and stadiums
Why Organisations Must Step Up - Now
Menstruation Affects Half the Population
Periods are not occasional, they’re monthly, predictable, and unavoidable. Ignoring them excludes women from fully participating in public life.
Dignity Is Infrastructure
Providing safe sanitary pads, disposal solutions, and menstrual-friendly washrooms is not charity, it’s basic infrastructure, like soap or toilet paper.
Health Outcomes Matter
Plastic-heavy pads and poor access lead to:
- Rashes
- UTIs
- Fungal infections
- Chronic discomfort
Access to toxin-free, breathable, plant-based sanitary pads directly impacts women’s health.
Positive Change Is Happening - In Pockets
Across India, meaningful efforts are emerging:
- Government programmes distributing free sanitary pads in schools
- NGOs producing biodegradable and reusable pads
- Social enterprises normalising conversations around periods
- Individuals bridging gaps personally
But these remain exceptions, not the norm.
What Menstrual-Friendly Infrastructure Actually Looks Like
To fix menstrual hygiene in India, institutions must move beyond tokenism.
Real solutions include:
- Sanitary pads available in washrooms and rooms
- Preference for chemical-free, plastic-free pads
- Dignified disposal systems
- Clear signage (no shame)
- Inclusion of menstrual health in ESG and workplace policies
This is not radical.
This is overdue.
Why Safe, Toxin-Free Pads Matter More Than Ever
India cannot build menstrual infrastructure on products that harm women.
Safer alternatives - chemical-free, fragrance-free, plant-based sanitary pads - reduce:
- Skin irritation
- “Chip-chip” plastic discomfort
- Heat and rashes
- Long-term exposure to toxins
Menstrual health is preventive healthcare.
Final Thought: If Individuals Can Act, Systems Must Follow
The Bengaluru auto driver didn’t wait for permission. He saw a need and responded with empathy.
Now it’s time for organisations with power, budgets, and reach to do the same.
Menstrual hygiene should not depend on luck, location, or kindness.
It should be built into India’s infrastructure.
Because dignity isn’t optional.
And periods aren’t either.