Breaking Taboos, Promoting Access, and Ending Stigma
Menstruation, the monthly vaginal bleeding experienced by individuals throughout their menstrual cycle, is a natural bodily process. It involves the shedding of the uterine lining, allowing for the potential of pregnancy. International Menstrual Hygiene Day, celebrated on May 28th, serves as an occasion to raise awareness, engage policymakers, and promote menstrual hygiene management globally. This day holds both symbolic significance, as May is the fifth month of the year, and of practical importance, as the average menstrual cycle lasts 28 days with menstruation lasting approximately five days.
Challenges Faced in Developing Countries:
In many developing countries, individuals who menstruate encounter numerous challenges related to poor menstrual hygiene. Lack of education, enduring taboos, stigma, limited access to safe menstruation products, and inadequate sanitation infrastructure contribute to these difficulties. A lack of knowledge about genital infections resulting from inadequate personal hygiene during menstruation further exacerbates the situation. In rural areas, individuals often lack access to sanitary goods, lack awareness about their types and usage, or cannot afford them due to high prices. Consequently, many rely on washable, reusable cloth pads as their primary means of menstrual protection.
These challenges hinder the potential of millions of menstruating individuals, preventing them from pursuing educational opportunities and attaining optimal health and social status. Without access to sanitary products, individuals may be forced to miss school during their periods. Shockingly, a recent survey by UNICEF revealed that 71% of adolescents in India only learn they are menstruating when they get their first period, leading to school absenteeism and educational gaps. Research by the NGO Dasra also highlights that 23 million menstruators drop out of school annually due to inadequate menstrual hygiene facilities, including the accessibility of sanitary pads and a lack of understanding about menstruation. The provision of proper sanitation facilities is therefore crucial.
Objectives of Menstrual Hygiene Day
Menstrual Hygiene Day aims to challenge taboos, eradicate stigma, raise awareness about the challenges related to access to menstrual products, and educate communities about menstruation and period-friendly sanitation facilities. This year’s theme, “Making menstruation a normal fact of life by 2030,” seeks to create a unified and powerful voice for menstruating individuals. It serves as a platform for addressing the difficulties and struggles faced by menstruators and emphasizes the importance of destigmatizing menstrual hygiene. The movement also highlights innovative solutions and initiatives implemented to address these challenges.
Moreover, Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) is gaining recognition as a global public health priority. Collaboration among academics, donors, NGOs, United Nations agencies, women’s groups, multinational feminine hygiene companies, and social entrepreneurs is taking place worldwide to draw attention to and mobilize resources to address the taboos, shame, and humiliation associated with menstruation that many menstruators in developing countries endure.
Empowerment through Education and Support
To ensure menstrual hygiene throughout the menstrual cycle, schools must provide accurate information and adequate sanitation facilities. Insufficient understanding of menstrual hygiene management can cause shock, tension, and discomfort among young individuals. Menstrual Hygiene Day presents a significant opportunity to dispel stereotypes and inspire young individuals to become educated, confident individuals who can openly discuss their overall well-being with their families and communities.
It is our collective responsibility to ensure that every menstruating individual has access to appropriate knowledge about menstruation as a normal biological occurrence. Providing menstrual hygiene management education to young people fosters confidence, self-esteem, and informed decision-making. Moreover, encouraging proper hygiene practices promotes social cohesion within communities.
Menstrual Hygiene Day serves as a catalyst for change, challenging societal norms, promoting access to menstrual products, and ending the stigma associated with menstruation. By working together, we can break down barriers, empower individuals who menstruate, and create a world where menstrual hygiene is not only acknowledged but fully supported.
References
- https://menstrualhygieneday.org/
- https://www.dw.com/en/india-menstruation-taboos/a-63341007
Written by Aiswarya Raj, our communications intern and a journalism student at Brighton University, currently pursuing a Master’s Degree