A ‘period hut' is a secluded place that isolates those who are menstruating due to rigid beliefs and menstrual taboos.

“During ‘that’ time of the month when they got their period, they were sent away. A bleak and brittle hut. Water leaked through the roof, not strong enough to shelter them. All cooped up in the unhygienic jail. Lack of clean water and clothes, not enough food. Only societal dread and shame.”

Lack of hygiene awareness and safe, clean conditions cause people who are menstruating to be vulnerable to pneumonia, diarrhoea, respiratory diseases and more; according to the United Nations bulletin.

A study led by researchers from Nepal and the U.S. discovered that women despite encountering health issues are supposed to continue with their exile until their cycle is over, before seeking any medical care. This not only degrades them but takes a huge psychological toll on them; they feel abandoned and impure. Most huts don’t even have a door and they are subject to physical assault and snakebites.

They don’t have the amenities or the will to speak up because they live in constant fear of being ostracized and removed from their society.

“We visited 223 gaokors in tribal areas and nearly 98% lack even a proper bed, leave alone electricity and other basic amenities. Most of the gaokors have temporary bathrooms made with bamboo,” says Dr Dilip Barsagade, the founder of the local NGO Society of People’s Action in Rural Services and Health (Sparsh), which recently brought the practice to the attention of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

“It’s all part of the suffering and humiliation women have to endure because of harsh traditions,” said Pashupati Kunwar, who runs a small aid group to help women. “Domestic violence is still bad. Child marriage is still high. We are trying to convince people that times are changing, but superstition is still strong.”

According to a report published by WaterAid, illnesses related to a lack of water, basic sanitation and hygiene were responsible for the deaths of almost 800,000 women around the world in a single year making it the fifth-largest killer of women.

The only way to go is to banish these huts completely, contrary to beliefs of those who condone this. Spreading awareness and educating against these beliefs is an arduous but necessary effort. It’s high time we take a stand because every time we step forward to attain equity we are pulled back by these evils. This is a huge setback and it is time we reform.

Spreading awareness is the practical way to go, this requires changing something a group of people have believed and followed for a long time. Despite this being an onerous task, of which the fruit may only be received over a long period of time- what can we do now? How can we save these women now? While simultaneously working towards eliminating this practice.

A Mumbai based non-profit organization came up with a controversial yet effective solution. A lot of people think this solution condones menstrual huts but this method has enabled the organization to save those cooped up in these huts without contradicting the traditional beliefs of the people. The group has built 10 ‘modern’ menstrual huts in Maharashtra which provides the residents with proper amenities and safe sanitary measures. 

Discarding this practice is necessary but providing them with healthy amenities and immediate safety should be our first priority.

While we work towards changing mindsets and a positive community, let's take immediate action and work towards creating better conditions for those who experience these hardships. Help create a safer environment and spread awareness.

The Indian government should lawfully implement the abolition of this practice but until then it is our duty to work towards helping and saving these people.