Is an initiative like Menstrual Hygiene Day on May the 28th still needed? Yes! Here are seven reasons why.
1 #MenstruationMatters WORLDWIDE
Women and girls around the world need to manage their menstruation during their reproductive age. The specific challenges that women and girls experience differ widely, depending on, for example, social norms, customs, education, geography and socio-economic factors. Yet it is fair to say that managing menstruation with normalcy and in dignity remains a challenge everywhere.
2 #MenstruationMatters to BOYS & MEN
Taboos and negative social norms around menstruation are perpetuated by society as a whole, including men. Including men and boys in conversations about menstruation is therefore critical to creating normalcy and fostering a supportive environment for women and girls.
3 #MenstruationMatters in ALL AREAS OF LIFE
Women and girls need to be able to manage their menstruation in all areas of life – at home, in school, at work, when travelling, etc. To ensure women and girls can manage their menstruation with normalcy and in dignity, their needs need to be taken into account in all areas of life.
4 Menstruation is a matter of EQUALITY
Women and girls miss out on education, work and other opportunities in life when they cannot manage their menstruation with normalcy and in dignity. Taboos and myths related to menstruation often portray women and girls as inferior to men and boys. This undermines gender equality and often constitutes discrimination.
5 Menstruation is an issue of INCLUSION
Women and girls with disabilities often have specific requirements to enable them to manage their menstruation with normalcy and in dignity. These need to be taken into account in all areas of life.
6 Menstruation is a matter of HUMAN RIGHTS
Menstruation is an issue of human rights and dignity. Many human rights are important to ensure that women and girls can manage their menstruation adequately and with dignity. This includes the right to water, the right to sanitation, the right to health and access to health-related education, including on sexual and reproductive health. When women and girls cannot manage their menstruation adequately and with dignity, it impacts on their human rights, including on the right to education, the right to work, the right to health and on gender equality and dignity more broadly.
7 #MenstruationMatters TO TRANSGENDER PEOPLE
Not only women and girls menstruate. Transgender and intersex people may also menstruate if they were born biologically female. They often face specific challenges in managing their menstruation with normalcy and in dignity, especially with regard to the use of facilities and access to health services.
Sympathize with these goals? Then spread the news about Menstrual Hygiene Day via social media by using the hashtag #MenstruationMatters. For more information, visit: Menstrualhygieneday.org/.
Read also:
Menstruating in Uganda
Menstruating in Bangladesh
Making a menstrual difference
A guide for girls
Peculiar prejudices
Not just for girls
