Menstruation and Marginalization: A Survey-Based Study of Menstrual Health Education and Facility Access as Determinants of Student Confidence in Maharashtra High Schools

Abstract

Adolescent girls around the world often struggle to manage menstruation due to poor access to sanitary products, inadequate school facilities, and harmful social taboos. In India, where a large portion of the world’s adolescent population lives, these barriers significantly affect girls’ education and well-being. The city of Solapur in Maharashtra, marked by socioeconomic diversity, offers a focused setting to explore how menstrual health education and school infrastructure influence girls’ confidence and academic engagement during their periods. This survey-based study was conducted in five randomly selected high schools and middle colleges in Maharashtra, India, involving 96 female students aged 13 to 24. Participants completed a structured questionnaire assessing menstrual education, school facilities, and confidence in managing menstruation. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics to explore relationships between school resources and students’ menstrual confidence. The study reveals that while many schools provide basic menstrual hygiene resources, inconsistencies in essential supplies and persistent social stigma significantly impact students’ comfort and participation during menstruation at school. These challenges lead to reduced attendance, limited physical activity, and social withdrawal, highlighting the need for integrated strategies that address both infrastructural gaps and cultural barriers to improve menstrual health management and support girls’ full engagement in school.