Menstrual Hygiene Day

When:
🗓️ May 28

Since:
🥂 2014

Sanitary products shouldn’t be a luxury item—they’re essential! 🏳️🩸☹️👀🩲🧺

Period Poverty: A Red Alert on Inequality

Period poverty might sound like something out of a Charles Dickens novel, but it’s a very real issue affecting millions around the world. It refers to the lack of access to menstrual products, hygiene facilities, waste management, and education about menstruation. People struggling with period poverty are often unable to afford a basic necessity like food or water. Being put on pause every month interrupts their lives, rights, and freedoms.

Bloody Taboos Shouldn’t Hold You Back

Cultural and social stigmas around menstruation make this problem even worse.
In many cultures, menstruation is still seen as a taboo subject, handled with shame and secrecy.
This stigma hinders open discussions and education about menstrual health, leaving many people unprepared on how to manage periods safely and hygienically.

The Basics: Access Denied

Safe access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities, affordable sanitary products, menstrual health management education, and, most importantly, a supportive environment are all needed to properly manage menstruation.
When people can’t afford proper products, they resort to unsafe alternatives like rags, cardboard, or even leaves. This can lead to infections, irritation, and even UTIs (urinary tract infections).

The Cost Factor

Pads and tampons can be expensive, especially in low-income communities. This can force people to choose between buying menstrual products and other necessities like food or rent.

The Ripple Effect: Economic Impact

Period poverty directly impacts education.
UNESCO estimates that 1 in 10 girls in Sub-Saharan Africa misses school during their menstrual cycle, which can add up to as much as 20% of a school year. Women and girls who miss work or school due to their periods lose out on educational and employment opportunities, perpetuating the cycle of poverty. Period poverty can also lead to feelings of shame, isolation, and lower self-esteem.
It’s like a game of snakes and ladders, where the snake of menstruation often sends girls sliding down the social and economic ladder.

The Origin of Menstrual Hygiene Day

Menstrual Hygiene Day was created by the German-based NGO WASH United in 2013 and observed for the first time in 2014.
May 28 has symbolic meaning: May is the 5th month of the year, and the average length of menstruation is 5 days every month. Also, the menstrual cycle averages 28 days.
Menstrual Hygiene Day aims to improve menstrual hygiene, education, and empowerment, and to break the stigma and shame around menstruation. Because managing periods should be a right, not a privilege.

Making a Difference Together

So, what can we do to create a #PeriodPositive world?
Here are some ways that we all can help with:

Talk About It:
Start by educating yourself and others about the importance of menstrual hygiene. The more we normalize menstruation, the less stigma there will be.
Period Product Power:
Keep a stash of pads or tampons in your bag or office drawer. If someone mentions needing a product, you can be a discreet lifesaver!
Social Media:
Use your social media platforms to spread awareness about period poverty. Share infographics, articles, or even funny memes (but keep it respectful!). Use hashtags like #EndPeriodPoverty, #MenstrualEquity, #MenstrualHygieneDay, #MhDay and #Mhd for extra effectivity.
Improve Menstrual Education:
Advocate for menstrual health education to be included in school. Teaching both boys and girls about menstruation helps dismantle myths and normalizes the conversation, which creates a more supportive environment.
Advocate for Policy Changes
Support government officials who want to remove the tampon tax or make menstrual products free. Joining demonstrations and protests can also bring awareness to the issue.
Support Brands That Care:
Look for brands that offer affordable menstrual products or donate a portion of their profits to period poverty initiatives. This could include product donations, sponsoring educational programs, or implementing policies that support menstrual equity in the workplace.
Support Sustainable Solutions:
Promote and use sustainable menstrual products like menstrual cups, reusable pads, and period underwear. These options are often more cost-effective in the long run and reduce environmental waste.
Donate Time and Products:
Reach out to local women’s shelters, food banks, or community centers. These organizations often accept donations of menstrual products.

Let’s turn the tide on period poverty!

Mark Your Calendars Red

So, here’s to a future where periods are only part of the punctuation in our lives, not a full stop.
Let’s keep the conversation flowing and create a world where everyone can manage their menstruation safely, hygienically, and with dignity.
Together, we can help end period poverty and ensure that no one is held back because of their period.
After all, menstruation is a natural process, not a luxury.

Happy Menstrual Hygiene Day!

#MenstrualHygieneDay #MhDay #Mhd