Graduate Studies

Strategic Foresight and Innovation (MDes)

Harmanjot Kaur

Analyzing the wicked problem of menstrual waste in rural India.

Menstruation in a developing country like India is surrounded by myths and taboos, which have resulted in widespread proliferation of unhygienic practices. The project seeks to address the wicked problem of menstrual waste, which is rapidly rising due to the use of disposable sanitary pads and the lack of proper waste management systems in India.The genesis of the idea behind this research is inspired by a foresight scenario in which every menstruating woman in India starts using single-use plastic sanitary pads. Through this exercise, a possible future that emerged, if no further interventions are made, the waste management system will be overwhelmed with the sheer amount of non-biodegradable waste. The research explores cloth pads as a viable alternative to non biodegradable single-use sanitary pads. It includes analysis of existing sustainable menstrual hygiene products and barriers to broad adoption of cloth pads. Data was collected through interviews, surveys, and a participatoryworkshop, which helped to map the landscape of menstrual hygiene in India and to understand the role of different stakeholders within the system. Further, it explores what directed efforts can provide an impetus for the broad adoption of cloth pads as a sustainable menstrual hygiene product. The document incorporates strategies for developing a more holistic and sustainable approach towards menstrual health management, carefully addressing myths, beliefs, practices, systems, and environments in rural India.