Lack of hygienic menstrual shelters posing health risk to tribal women

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The valaimapura at Lakkam tribal settlement in a dilapidated state | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

The absence of a modern, hygienic rest facility for Muthuvan tribal women during menstruation has created a severe health hazard in the Lakkam tribal settlement near Munnar. According to M. Palraj, president of the Adivasi Muthuvan Samudhaya Sangam, the community’s traditional secluded huts —known locally as ‘valaimpura’ — are in deplorable condition, leaving women and young girls afraid to stay there.

“Nearly 80 families reside in the Lakkam settlement under Munnar panchayat. There is only one valaimpura serving approximately 100 women and adolescent girls, and its condition is pathetic. During rains, water leaks directly inside the shelter,” said Mr. Palraj.

The valaimapura at Lakkam tribal settlement in a dilapidated state | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Under Muthuvan customary practice, women and girls are strictly segregated to a valaimpura for seven days during their menstrual cycle. Compelled by tradition to stay in these unsanitary and insecure quarters, residents face significant health risks and distress. Community leaders noted a sharp contrast between shelters designated for men and those for women.

While the Sathram—a communal shelter built by the Vana Samrakshana Samithi (VSS) where unmarried young men reside until marriage—remains in good condition, the women’s facility has been left neglected.

The isolation practice previously made headlines in 2017 when a report by the tribal intelligence wing revealed that inadequate valaimpura facilities in Edamalakkudy, Keralam’s first tribal grama panchayat, had driven some adolescent girls to take oral contraceptive pills to delay their menstrual cycles.

The valaimapura at Lakkam tribal settlement in a dilapidated state | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Recently, conditions improved in Edamalakkudy after an IT firm, Experion Technologies, built two modern rest facilities called “Women’s Empowerment Centres” under its CSR initiative, Project EDEM. Lakkam residents are now urging authorities to construct a similar model facility in their settlement.

Compounding the community’s isolation is the dilapidated 4-km stretch of road linking the settlement to the Munnar–Udumalpet interstate highway near Lakkam Waterfalls. Addressing the issue, Idukki district panchayat Munnar Division member C. Nelson stated that ₹10 lakh each has been allocated for both the road and the valaimpura construction. “The tender for the valaimpura has already been awarded, but the contractor has not yet commenced work,” Mr Nelson said. “A recurring hurdle across tribal settlements in Idukki, including Edamalakkudy, is that outside contractors secure tenders online but fail to show up or execute the ground work,” he said.

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