Bhubaneswar, June 10 -- A recent assessment on menstrual health revealed that absenteeism during menstruation remains a significant challenge for female students across Odisha, with nearly 74% of girls missing between one and eight days of classes during each menstrual cycle.

The study identified menstrual pain and discomfort as the leading reasons behind absenteeism, while inadequate facilities, lack of privacy and prevailing social stigma continue to affect attendance and well-being.

The assessment was conducted between April 28 and May 25 across 14 districts for educational institutions and eight districts for public institutions. The study was jointly carried out by organisations including Aaina, the All India Institute of Medical S...