'Menstruation and girls relation'

"It will be useful to evaluate the results of Uttar Pradesh's policy initiative, to see where it is working well or not and to look for ways to ensure that the policy is sustainable in the long term," Muller said. Besides, information on effective and ineffective distribution channels and methods (i.e. how products are reaching schoolgirls through pubic-and private-sector channels) will maximise government investments, she added. The PATH official further cited a study by UNICEF in Uttar Pradesh which revealed that many adolescent girls skip school during menstruation due to lack of appropriate sanitation facilities in schools. "Women have to manage menstruation-related hygiene in fields and open spaces, which exposes women, especially young girls, to physical and psychological problems and sexual harassment. Anecdotal evidence suggests girls limit their food and water intake during the menstrual period in order to minimise their visits for urination and defecation," she said.