Period Poverty And Law: An Empirical Research

17th April, 2024 - 7:26 am Categories: News & Updates 0 Comments

INTRODUCTION

During the catastrophic and unprecedented situation during the Covid-19 pandemic in the year 2020, the people encountered the longest and most stringent lockdown at the national level. Though the lockdown was imposed with an aim to benefit the people at a large, it resulted in the destruction of the global economy, earnings of daily-wage workers, et al. The underprivileged strata of Indian society, as a result of this lockdown, were forced into poverty in such a manner that they even fail to feed themselves as well as their children. The rise in poverty during these times backed with pre-existing poverty unleashed havoc on the menstrual health of women in India.

In order to cope up with the menstrual concerns, women started using unhygienic measures such as clothes, tree leaves, etc. Though the Government of India had launched a scheme, the pandemic even hindered its functioning. Women in poverty started spending money by giving importance to other concerns than their menstrual hygiene. As a result of which, they suffered major physical and psychological implications. The study aims to delve into the issue of menstrual hygiene management and concerns over period poverty to showcase the prevalence of period poverty in India with the help of the data collected from the respondents. To obtain untainted data, the data collected was kept anonymous in nature and the data poll comprised 115+ girls/women hailing from different institutions of India.

RESEARCH OBJECTIVE

1. To study and analyse psychological aspects associated with Period Poverty.
2. To understand the prevalence of Period Poverty in Indian society.
3. To study and determine the awareness among the masses regarding Menstrual Hygiene.
4. To analyse how social taboos negatively affect the psychological well-being of girls/women.
5. To study the interrelation between economic well-being and menstrual hygiene.
6. To study the negative consequences that girls/women face after facing period poverty.

RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

1. Period Poverty exists in Indian Society. (Figure 03)
2. Economic wellness plays a major role in determining the victims of Period Poverty. (Chart 01, Figure 02)
3. Lack of awareness is a major concern, facilitating Period Poverty. (Figure 7 & Chart 2)
4. Period Poverty adversely affects the psychology of a girl/woman. Figure 08
5. Social taboos, Myths and Misconceptions further augment Period Poverty. Figure 06
6. Authorities fail in providing access to basic menstrual hygiene facilities. Chart 03

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

SAMPLE SIZE

In this study, the researcher has successfully received responses from 117 girls and/or women. The researched has sent his questionnaire to female students of different universities across India that consisted of the National University of Study and Research in Law, Ranchi (Jharkhand), National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (Telangana), Chanakya National Law University, Patna (Bihar), National Law University, Cuttack (Orissa), Himachal Pradesh National Law University, Shimla (Himachal Pradesh), Maharashtra National Law University, Nagpur (Maharashtra), Christ University, Bangalore (Karnataka), Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University, Pune (Maharashtra), et al. The age group in the study ranged between 14 to 20 years. Moreover, 15 girls and/or women in part of the survey were of 20+ years. The collection of responses was turned off on Thursday (October 14, 2021).

TOOL

To facilitate the present research work a ‘Questionnaire Method’ involving a total of 08 were used. The Questionnaire was circulated by a way of Google form and proper steps were taken to ensure the anonymity of the person responding. The type of questions in the first part of the Questionnaire i.e., Questions No. 1 and 2 give the general information about the person taking the test, that is, age and family income of the person. Further, these questions were accompanied by whether they have ever faced Period Poverty and if yes, then what impact they have suffered as a result of it.

Ordinarily, in the Questionnaire-based research method, the questions can be of three types viz., open-ended, close-ended or the combination of the first two. The ‘open ended’ questions are such that it is left on the part of the respondent to answer the set of questions as per what she feels about the topic on which the research is being conducted. While in the second type of question i.e., ‘close ended’ questions, the respondent has no liberty but to answer the questions from the provided answers in the form of options. The present research employs the third method, which is an amalgamation of both of these two types of questions. The Questionnaire circulated is attached as Annexure A at the end of the paper.

RESEARCH DESIGN

The research design employed in the study is Survey Research Design. Survey Research Design involves the collection of data by asking questions and recording the response provided by the people. The research is conducted with an aim to examine the prevalence of Period Poverty in India and further delve into the psychological impacts that girls/women face as a result of it.

PROCEDURE

For the successful competition of this study and in order to collect the data from the defined set of the population across India, the researcher created a ‘Google Form’ which was circulated among the target groups through ‘Snowball Sampling’. Snowball Sampling is a method where the researcher recruits (asks) other participants to circulate it in their peer groups, family groups, friend groups, etc. so as to collect data. In the present case, the researcher asked his friends, both boys and girls, to circulate the form through WhatsApp and/or any other social media app among their groups. The researcher also asked the girls to not only share but fill it as well.

The major reason behind employing the method of Google Form was that it is an easier way of collecting data and ensures that the information collected is bereft of any anonymity. The link of the attached Google Form (Annexure A) was circulated with the declaration that the survey is being done for educational purposes and that the confidentiality of their responses will be maintained, throughout this study and even after its completion. The estimated time for the completion of the survey was calculated to be 02 minutes. No time limit was set, and the individuals were given the liberty to answer accurately. In addition to these sets of instructions, it was categorically stated that only women and/or girls are eligible to fill this form.

Moreover, the description clearly mentioned the definition of Period Poverty. It was defined as “When a girl not being able to afford menstrual products (sanitation facilities in schools/colleges/hospitals/workplace due to lack of infrastructure or facilities available). Subjected to discrimination inside her home during the time periods by her family members. Family members base their argument on religion/religious scriptures, however, the religion neither implicitly nor explicitly mentions any such thing. Lack of awareness in you (the respondent) yourself.”

The Google Form was first rolled out on October 4, 2021, after being examined by the concerned faculty and the responses were recorded till October 14, 2021. Continuous monitoring of the responses was made in order to ensure that the recorded data does not include any unnecessary responses and responses from those people who did not belong to the prescribed age limit. After having the required responses, data was sent to the excel sheet for the making of the graphs and at the end, the graphs were ready on the basis of which analysis was done and produced below in the form of ‘Discussion’.

Author: Kaustubh Kumar, in case of any queries please contact/write back to us via email to chhavi@khuranaandkhurana.com or at  Khurana & Khurana, Advocates and IP Attorney.