Strengthening the supply chain of menstrual hygiene products in India

The goal of menstrual health, in part, requires sustained access to affordable, good quality menstrual hygiene products of choice. To facilitate good menstrual health, ensuring sustained access to affordable, good quality menstrual hygiene products of choice is critical, while simultaneously addressing other aspects of the menstrual health value chain.

Government initiatives play a vital role in the menstrual health value chain, enabling access to essential menstrual materials for those who are marginalized and vulnerable. With support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), WaterAid India and Development Solutions conducted a study to explore and highlight supply chain models by which menstrual hygiene products can most efficiently and sustainably be supplied to adolescent girls and women through Government-led initiatives.

This study identified and examined the supply chain of menstrual hygiene products in six states (Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan and Telangana), and sought to highlight supply chain models by which menstrual hygiene products can most efficiently and sustainably be supplied to adolescent girls and women through Government supported initiatives.

Over the course of the study in six states and discussions with other stakeholders, the three models presented in this document emerged as the prominent supply chain models for Government-led initiatives on the distribution and sales of menstrual hygiene materials.