Menstruation marks the beginning of the reproductive life for women and girls. The advent of menstruation aids the preparation of the female reproductive organs for possible pregnancy or procreation. Globally, over 300 million women are menstruating on any given day.
Available evidence from World Bank 2018 highlights that nearly 500 million women and girls globally lack adequate knowledge, products and facilities for menstrual hygiene management. Lack of water is another barrier to the adequacy of sanitary situation required for menstrual hygiene management (MHM). Cultural barriers and related stigma further compound the challenges faced by women and girls during menstruation, often leading to social exclusion and gender-based violence, as well as absenteeism from schools.
Menstruation is a signature of womanhood and not taboo. Let’s join hand to educate and spread accurate information about menstruation and break menstrual myth.
A poor understanding of the importance of menstrual hygiene leads to its unhealthy and unhygienic practices that increase the risk of health diseases and challenges for girls and women. These include reproductive and urinary tract infections, hepatitis B and thrush which can result in possible infertility, birth complications and even cancer. The menstrual hygiene day is a special day recognized by the United Nations to raise awareness on the need to empower girls and women with accurate information on menstrual hygiene management (MHM). It is used to dispel related myths, break stigmas and taboos. The menstrual hygiene day provides an opportunity for educating women and girls on the best practices for menstrual hygiene management (MHM) including the development of self-esteem, confidence and a health attitude to menstrual hygiene.
This year’s theme is making menstruation a normal fact of life by 2030 highlights the need for deeper engagement of stakeholders, activists and communities on the issues but also the need to improve menstrual hygiene practice, increase access to menstrual products, end girls’ poverty and improved sanitary environment that supports increased school attendance for girls during menstruation.
As a stakeholder, HEARD Africa is committed to supporting girls in Nigeria and across Africa in programming in critical areas, including addressing issues related to menstrual hygiene management (MHM) through our innovative and life transforming programmes.
