Menstruation Hygiene & Education🩸
Menstrual Hygiene Day, which is celebrated annually on May 28th, is a global initiative that aims to break the silence and build awareness about the fundamental role that good menstrual hygiene management (MHM) plays in enabling women and girls to reach their full potential.
From all over the world, we stand, we work, we fight together for a #PeriodFriendlyWorld.
There’s so much negativity around periods, many young women in Kenya and around the world have end up pregnant, been taken advantage of, some have dropped out of school, others humiliated and as a result, put aside from others simply because they menstruate.
So, as we celebrate #MenstrualHygieneDay2024 tomorrow, it’s crucial for us to reflect on how we can support young women and girls in our communities during this important time because there’s nothing a menstruator can’t do.
How can we help, you ask?
1. Imagine Advocating for Policy Changes.
One of the most impactful ways to support young women is by advocating for policy changes that remove taxation on menstrual products and increase access to these essential items. By removing financial barriers, we can ensure that all women and girls have the resources they need to manage their menstrual health and live with dignity.
2. Fund Women and Girl-Led Movements and Young CBOs.
This is the most important step, investing in feminist organizations that are fighting period poverty, period shaming, leadership and working to improve menstrual health and hygiene. These grassroots movements are often seen so unimportant but the power they have is massive. Led by women and girls who understand the challenges firsthand and are best positioned to drive change in their communities who else could do this but women themselves.
There are many organizations around the world that are working tirelessly to improve menstrual health and hygiene. By providing financial support or volunteering our time and skills, we can help these organizations expand their reach and make an even greater impact.
3. Improve Data on Menstrual Health.
Growing up, we had people visit our schools and gift period products to young girls, but imagine how much impact they could make if they had the data of the young girls they helped and actually followed up. This would show how many impacts and how many girls have access to menstrual products and how far we should stretch to ensure everyone is well informed.
So, to effectively address the challenges surrounding menstrual health, it’s crucial to invest in improving data collection and analysis. By gathering more accurate and comprehensive data, we can better understand the scope of the problem and develop targeted solutions that meet the needs of women and girls in different contexts.
4. Include Menstrual Health Education in School Curriculums.
I have been in school before and I know for a fact that we are not taught about our menstrual/bodies as much because of embarrassment and fear. So teachers take the easy way out, which is they allow you to figure it out on your own. Mind you at home your Mama Mboga is busy looking to provide for the family and if you are not lucky enough to get a scholarship, they are sourcing for school feels as well.
So, ensuring that young women have access to accurate, comprehensive information about menstrual health is essential. By advocating for the inclusion of menstrual health and hygiene education in school curriculums, we can empower girls with the knowledge they need to manage their periods safely and confidently with no shame.
5. Raise Awareness and Bust Myths
One of the most powerful ways to support young women is by raising awareness and busting myths surrounding menstruation. There are so much information about periods that is just not true.
When we were young together with my cousins, we were told by my GrandMa that we could go to church on Sunday (CATHOLIC CHURCH) to be precise this is because we were unclean, this might sound fun for a child because you get to stay more in bed but now that I am thinking about it, it feels like we were being discriminated.
Imagine if we can all try to engage in conversations not only online but also in community spaces, this will help erase the stigma and shame that often surrounds this natural bodily function.
7. Promote Period-Friendly Policies.
By encouraging policymakers, healthcare providers, educators, and community leaders to take steps to protect menstrual health and ensure access to necessary resources is crucial. By advocating for period-friendly policies and practices, we can create a more supportive and inclusive environment for women and girls.
8. Participate in Menstrual Hygiene Day.
We are celebrating 10 years since MHD2024 and one of the most direct ways to support young women on Menstrual Hygiene Day is by participating in the movement itself.
By joining the conversation, sharing information, taking action, and donating, we can help to create a world where women and girls are no longer held back because they menstruate.
Also, consider becoming an MH Day Ambassador. By joining the Ambassador Network, individuals can become influential advocates for menstrual health, helping to bust the stigma around menstruation and supporting the movement in their communities and beyond.
By engaging in these actions, individuals, organizations, and communities can contribute significantly to supporting young women during Menstrual Hygiene Day 2024 and beyond, working towards a #PeriodFriendlyWorld.
