Every May 28, Menstrual Hygiene Day(MH
Day) raises awareness and combats taboos associated with menstrual hygiene with
the goal of enabling women and girls to achieve their full potential.
Globally, more than half of
women are currently of reproductive age—and menstruation is a monthly reality.
Yet all around the world, many women lack access to menstrual hygiene products
or sanitation facilities, either due to limited availability or excessive cost.
Myths and stigmas surrounding menstruation cause some women and girls to miss
school or work or go into isolation. Women and men of all ages must be made
aware of the importance of menstrual hygiene through an open dialogue and
education at home and in school to foster engagement with this often unspoken
issue.
The theme of Menstrual Hygiene Day
2019—It's Time for Action—not only emphasizes the
urgency of this public health issue, but also highlights the transformative
power of improved menstrual hygiene to empower the world’s women and girls and
unlock their economic and educational opportunities. MH Day brings together
non-profits, government agencies, the private sector, the media, and
individuals to advocate for and promote the importance of good menstrual
hygiene management (MHM).
USAID’s sanitation programs are
designed to meet the specific needs of women and girls. MHM is a critical
aspect of addressing women’s and girls’ empowerment by alleviating a major
constraint to their participation in education and public life. USAID’s work in
this area includes developing design standards for facilities, creating educational
resources, promoting the availability of MHM-related supplies, and
destigmatizing menstrual hygiene.
The provision of
adequate and safe sanitation can promote equity and opportunity, which, in
turn, contributes to the establishment of equality, and the erosion of
long-standing discrimination and societal norms that reinforce traditional
roles, prejudices, and expectations. USAID activities include promoting and
providing supplies for MHM in households and schools, and working with host
governments to draft national MHM strategies.
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