“Periods Are Natural, Stigma Is Not”: Raghav Chadha Speaks on Menstrual Hygiene in Parliament

March 13, 2026

New Delhi: Raghav Chadha, Rajya Sabha MP from the Aam Aadmi Party, raised the issue of menstrual hygiene and stigma around periods in Parliament of India, stressing that access to sanitation and dignity for women and girls is a matter of health, education and equality.

“Periods Are Natural, Stigma Is Not”

Speaking about the issue, Chadha said menstruation is a natural biological process but social stigma surrounding it continues to affect millions of girls across the country.

Periods are natural. Stigma is not.

If a girl misses school because there are no sanitary pads, no water and no privacy, it is not her personal problem. It is our collective failure.

We live in a country where alcohol and cigarettes are sold openly, but sanitary pads are still… pic.twitter.com/C0KJt4du8J

— Raghav Chadha (@raghav_chadha) March 13, 2026

He pointed out that if a girl misses school because there are no sanitary pads, no water or no privacy, it should not be seen as a personal problem but a collective societal failure.

“We live in a country where alcohol and cigarettes are sold openly, but sanitary pads are still wrapped in newspaper as if they must be hidden,” he said, highlighting the contradiction in social attitudes.

A Biological Fact Turned Into Social Taboo

Chadha said society has turned a matter of science into a matter of silence.

According to him, menstrual hygiene should not be treated as charity or a favour, but as a fundamental issue connected to women’s dignity and rights.

“Menstrual hygiene is not charity. It is not a favour. It is not a side issue. It is a matter of health, education and equality. Above all, it is a matter of dignity,” he said.

Issue Affects Over 35 Crore Women in India

The MP said he raised the issue in Parliament because it affects more than 35 crore women and girls in India.

He added that a country cannot claim to be truly progressive if millions of girls continue to face fear, shame and silence over something as basic as menstruation.

“Real Test of Progress”

Chadha emphasised that the real measure of progress will be the day when every girl in India can attend school, live with dignity and speak openly about menstruation without stigma.

“The real test of progress is simple. The day every girl in India can go to school, live with dignity and speak about this without stigma, that will be the day we can truly say our society has moved forward,” he said.