
Over 44% of women aged 15-24 in Karnataka continue to use cloth for menstrual protection
The Hindu
This is the highest among southern States followed by Kerala and Andhra Pradesh, at 40.2% and 36.2% respectively. May 28 is observed as World Menstrual Hygiene Day
Over 44% of women aged 15-24 years in Karnataka continue to use cloth for menstrual protection, according to the recently released NFHS-5 report. This is the highest among southern States followed by Kerala and Andhra Pradesh, at 40.2% and 36.2% respectively.
In terms of overall use of a hygienic method of menstrual protection, Karnataka ranks the lowest among southern States at 84.6%. Locally prepared napkins, sanitary napkins, tampons and menstrual cups are considered to be hygienic methods of protection in the survey.
While 69.1% use sanitary napkins, 2.9% use tampons and 0.3% menstrual cups, 21.9% use locally prepared napkins in Karnataka.
In Puducherry, 99.1% of women aged 15-24 years use a hygienic method of protection. Puducherry is followed by Andaman (98.8%) and Nicobar Islands (98.4%). The lowest percentage of women using a hygienic method of menstrual protection is recorded in Bihar (59%), Madhya Pradesh (61%), and Meghalaya (65%)
Overall, although 77.6% of women use a hygienic method of protection in India, 49.6% continue to use cloth. While 64.4% use sanitary napkins, 15% use locally prepared napkins; 1.7% use tampons and 0.3% use menstrual cups in India.
While Uttar Pradesh (69.4%) and Assam (69.1%) have the highest percentage of women who continue to use cloth, Andaman and Nicobar Islands (8.2%) and Tamil Nadu have the lowest (12.7%).
The survey found that women with 12 or more years of schooling are more than twice as likely to be using a hygienic method as compared to women with no schooling (90% versus 44%).

Former CM B.S. Yediyurappa had challenged the first information report registered on March 14, 2024, on the alleged incident that occurred on February 2, 2024, the chargesheet filed by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), and the February 28, 2025, order of taking cognisance of offences afresh by the trial court.