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Menstruating Without Pads in India

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Menstruating Without Pads in India

Thanks to stigma and misinformation, many Indian women continue to use cloth during their periods.

By Arpita Singh and Ahmad Belal
October 10, 2018

Sanitary pads were recently made tax-free in India, but that has changed little for many women who have been using pieces of cloth for generations. The use of cloth during periods exposes women to diseases. Affordability is an obstacle, but a lack of awareness is a much bigger issue. As this video shows, many women and young girls consider themselves to be impure during menstruation and choose to abstain from visiting temples or touching almost anything. One hopes the government would take notice of this.