Mouli Sharma is a scholar of religion and freelance journalist from New Delhi, India. She is a published photojournalist & illustrator, having been featured in The Hindu College Gazette and the American quarterly Pink Disco. She currently serves as the editor-in-chief of the student-run news site, The Voice Express, & as a literary editor for the Filipino lit-mag, The Queer Gaze.
Part three of our series on women’s health in Indian public institutes examines the neglect of clinical care in women’s colleges, exposing stark resource disparities and systemic apathy. From inadequate first aid to medical gaslighting, we uncover the hidden struggles of female students seeking basic healthcare.
A case study of three premier public institutes reveals the gaps in India's vast but flawed menstrual policy—leaving women in urban spaces struggling for access. This neglect is also found in higher education institutes, forcing students to navigate stigma, scarcity, and systemic indifference.
Poor hygiene and inadequate sanitation facilities in educational institutions disproportionately impact female students, leading to absenteeism and dropouts. This widespread neglect highlights systemic apathy toward women's health and well-being in Indian higher education.