Menstrual health is a pivotal yet neglected driver of school absenteeism and dropout among adolescent girls in India. Despite improved enrolment, a significant proportion of girls miss school—or discontinue education—after menarche. Nearly one in four girls reports absenteeism during menstruation, underscoring the gap between access to education and sustained participation.

The determinants are both biological and structural. Dysmenorrhea and heavy menstrual bleeding frequently impair daily functioning, yet remain under-recognized and undertreated. These challenges are compounded by systemic inadequacies: limited access to affordable sanitary products, poorly maintained or non-functional WASH facilities, lack of privacy for changing, and absence of safe disposal mechanisms within schools. Such deficits are particularly acute in government schools and resource-constrained urban settings.

Equally influential are socio-cultural barriers. Persistent stigma, fear of leakage, and lack of menstrual literacy create an environment of silence and shame, discouraging school attendance. Even within urban populations, disparities persist, with marginalized groups facing constraints comparable to rural settings.

The cumulative impact is profound—recurrent absenteeism, declining academic performance, diminished self-confidence, and eventual dropout—perpetuating cycles of gender inequity.

Addressing menstrual-related school dropout demands an integrated response: normalization of menstrual health discourse, early and accurate education, access to affordable menstrual products, and provision of safe, functional, and dignified sanitation infrastructure within schools. Ensuring menstrual health is not ancillary—it is fundamental to safeguarding girls’ education, agency, and long-term empowerment.

TBA