Karan Babbar

1 week ago | thehindu.com | Karan Babbar

Imagine Priya, a bright 13-year-old in a village nestled miles from the nearest town. Her first period arrives not with understanding or support, but with hushed warnings and a palpable sense of shame, passed down through generations. Given a rough, inadequate piece of cloth, she’s quietly instructed to avoid the kitchen, refrain from touching the shared water pot, and crucially, stay home from school during those five days each month.

1 week ago | scroll.in | Karan Babbar

Since 2010, India’s health ministry has focused on distributing disposable sanitary pads to girls and women as part of its efforts to improve menstrual health and hygiene. Menstrual health is crucial in ensuring that girls attend school and go on to pursue higher education. Nearly 15 years since, India’s draft Menstrual Hygiene Policy continues to emphasise distributing subsidised sanitary pads while factoring in the need for environmentally-friendly disposal.

1 month ago | internationalhealthpolicies.org | Karan Babbar |Shubha Nagesh |Vaishnavi Mangal

In Kerala, a state renowned for its robust public healthcare system, a storm is brewing. At the heart of this unrest are the Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) workers—often overlooked yet essential healthcare providers who serve as the first point of contact for many. These dedicated workers raise awareness, deliver critical services such as disease screening and immunization, assist with maternal and child care, and navigate difficult terrains, all for minimal pay.

2 months ago | thediplomat.com | Karan Babbar |Mahashweta Chakrabarty

Central, eastern, and northeastern India lag behind in access to the government’s menstrual health and hygiene programs. India has made significant progress in addressing menstrual health and hygiene (MHH), with initiatives such as the Menstrual Hygiene Scheme contributing to a substantial increase in access to period products. However, true menstrual equity remains a distant dream for many, particularly in underserved regions.

2 months ago | ova.galencentre.org | Karan Babbar |OP Jindal Global |Mahashweta Chakrabarty |Banaras Hindu

By Karan Babbar, OP Jindal Global University and Mahashweta Chakrabarty, Banaras Hindu UniversitySONIPAT, March 11 – India has made significant progress in addressing menstrual health and hygiene (MHH), with initiatives such as the Menstrual Hygiene Scheme contributing to a substantial increase in access to period products. However, true menstrual equity remains a distant dream for many, particularly in underserved regions.