Maternal and Menstrual Health Challenges of Tea Plantation Women in South Asia: A Comparative Study of Assam and Bangladesh

Women working in tea plantations across South Asia remain among the most marginalized groups in terms of health and socioeconomic well-being. This study examines the maternal and menstrual health challenges faced by female tea plantation workers in Assam, India, and Bangladesh. Drawing on two case studies—maternal health schemes in Assam and menstrual hygiene practices in Bangladesh—this paper highlights structural inequalities, limited access to healthcare, and the cultural stigmas shaping women’s reproductive health. Despite various government and institutional interventions, implementation gaps, corruption, inadequate infrastructure, and persistent poverty undermine outcomes. A comparative analysis shows overlapping determinants such as poor wages, inadequate awareness, low education, and gender-based discrimination, which together exacerbate health vulnerabilities. The findings underscore the urgent need for integrated policy approaches combining maternal and menstrual health programs with broader socioeconomic reforms. The study concludes by recommending capacity building, targeted awareness campaigns, and stricter accountability measures to bridge policy–practice gaps and improve health outcomes for tea plantation women across South Asia.