mhm & sbcc Program

Globally, approximately 52% of the female population (26% of the total population) is of reproductive age. Most of these women and girls will menstruate each month for between two and seven days. Menstruation is a natural part of the reproductive cycle. However, in most parts of the world, it remains taboo and is rarely talked about. As a result, the practical challenges of menstrual hygiene are made even more difficult by various socio-cultural factors. Currently, cultural practices and taboos around menstruation impact negatively on the lives of women and girls, and reinforce gender inequities and exclusion. Such beliefs and practices not only violate women’s dignity, they have serious implications for their health and wellbeing. To make matters worse, a lack of resources and knowledge means that many women do not have access to basic hygiene materials and facilities. In some cases, women are forced to resort to unhygienic options, such as using ash, newspapers, hay, sand or old rags to absorb menstrual blood. Consequently, every period is loaded with mental, emotional and physical trauma, which affects the day to day lives of women Menstrual hygiene has been largely neglected by the water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) sector and others focusing on sexual and reproductive health, and education. As a result, millions of women and girls continue to be denied their rights to WASH, health, education, dignity and gender equity. A woman menstruates for a total of 40 years in her lifetime. But vast majorities of women who live in the developing world do not have access to clean water, safe and private spaces for washing and cleaning, materials for absorbing menstrual blood, or facilities for proper and safe disposal of used menstrual hygiene materials. This guide has been developed for WASH professionals to enable them to speak confidently about an issue that is regularly shrouded in silence, and which impacts upon women and girls’ health, education and livelihoods.