Over 90% women skip consultation on menstruation-related issues over lack of female doctors: Report
Mumbai: A new research report has highlighted the significant challenges women face when it comes to menstruation-related health care, with over 90 percent of women avoiding consultations due to a shortage of female doctors.
The report, titled 'Combating The Silence From Menarche To Menopause,' was launched on Friday by the Sulabh Sanitation Mission Foundation (SSMF) in Mumbai. According to the report, as cited by The Hindu, a staggering 91.7 percent of older women skip seeking medical advice for menstruation-related concerns, mainly because of the lack of women doctors.
This lack of access to proper healthcare extends beyond consultations, as the study also found that girls are reluctant to use school restrooms during menstruation due to unhygienic conditions. Many school restrooms are without basic necessities such as water, soap, or even doors, which deters girls from using these facilities.
The revealed revealed that the poor state of menstrual hygiene management in schools force girls to miss school during their menstrual cycle, with some missing up to 60 days annually.
“We want a holistic approach to managing menstrual hygiene. It is a circle, missing schools lead to dropouts, then forces marriage and further restricts them from participating in the economy,” Nirja Bhatnagar, National Director of Program and Advocacy at Sulabh International Social Service Organisation, was quoted as saying by The Hindu.
The study focused on menstruating women in 14 districts across India, including Maharashtra, where researchers studied the conditions in Beed and Dharashiv districts. It shed light on the struggles faced by women, including those who migrated, working in sugarcane fields, brick kilns, mines, and factories.
The findings revealed that 89.9 percent of women in Beed did not view period-related issues as serious, and 70.4 percent of women in Dharashiv felt that doctors are out of reach to treat their problems. Additionally, the report raised concerns about the issue of hysterectomies—surgery to remove the uterus—among migrant women workers.
The report underscored the dire need for better facilities, education, and healthcare to address the ongoing struggles women face in managing their menstrual health, particularly in rural and migrant communities. The study also provided several recommendations for improvement, including implementation of menstrual hygiene management programs that are tailored to the local demographics.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
National Herald case: Shivakumar to seek time next week to appear before Delhi police
New Delhi/Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Monday said he will ask for time from Delhi police to appear before them next week, to provide required information as part of the probe into the National Herald case.
He said he will seek time after the ongoing winter session of Karnataka legislature ends on December 19. He will also ask the Delhi police to provide him the FIR copy.
Shivakumar, who is in the national capital, had earlier said that he will appear before the Delhi police on Monday. But, he postponed the plan in order to rush back to Karnataka to participate in the last rites of veteran Congress leader Shamanuru Shivashankarappa, scheduled later in the day in Davangere.
"I had to go (to appear before the Delhi police), but I have to go back urgently. I'm asking them for time, stating that I will come next week," Shivakumar told reporters in New Delhi.
"They (Delhi police) have not attached the FIR copy while issuing notice to me. I need FIR copy, because we had already given all the required replies to the ED. I don't know what the FIR says, I only read in papers. They have given notice, I will ask for a FIR copy. I will come next week after the Assembly session."
The Delhi Police had issued a notice to Shivakumar, who is also the Karnataka Congress chief, seeking financial and transactional details as part of its probe into the National Herald case.
The notice issued by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) states that Shivakumar is "supposed to be having vital information" pertaining to the National Herald case registered on October 3 this year, against top Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.
In the notice dated November 29, the EOW had asked Shivakumar to appear before it or provide the requested information by December 19 latest.
Investigators have sought details about his personal background, his association with the Congress party, and a complete break up of funds allegedly transferred by him or associated entities to Young Indian.
To a question on meeting AICC General Secretaries K C Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala, amid the ongoing power tussle between him and CM Siddaramaiah over the Chief Minister post, Shivakumar said when he comes to Delhi, he usually meets every one.
"Whether it is Surjewala or Kharge (AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge) or Venugopal, I will meet everyone. During lunch yesterday I met Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi. I have met everyone. What's wrong?" he asked.
Shivakumar was in Delhi to take part in Congress' "Vote Chori" rally on Sunday, and had also participated in the lunch organised by the party for its leaders.
Responding to a question, whether any meeting is planned with leaders today, the Deputy CM said, he and Kharge will be travelling together to Karnataka, to pay last respects to Shamanuru Shivashankarappa.
Asked if he will seek time for a separate meeting with Congress leadership including Rahul Gandhi, during the next visit to Delhi, Sivakumar said, "such things will be there between us in the party.... you don't worry."
