Menstrual health is not just a biological concern; it is an understudied dimension of public health and human capital formation, shaped by education, sanitation infrastructure and prevailing social norms. Menstruation is a normal part of life for most women and girls, yet cultural taboos and a lack of information continue to influence how it is understood and managed.
This paper examines the role of literacy and structural factors on menstrual health practices among women in India. This study uses secondary data from NFHS-5 to focus on state-level variations in the use of hygienic menstrual methods and behavioural practices.
This research uses descriptive analysis to identify regional differences in menstrual health outcomes and determine the relationship between literacy levels of women, access to household sanitation amenities, adolescent childbearing, and menstrual hygiene behaviour. Regression analysis has been used to measure the effect of literacy and structural factors on menstrual health practices across states and union territories.
This paper aims to inform policy discussions on gender-responsive interventions in human capital and development by situating menstrual health within a broader context of human capital and development. Empowering literacy and enhancing access to basic sanitation have become essential elements of inclusive developmental approaches to menstrual health inequities in India.