Poor menstrual hygiene caused by a lack of education, persisting taboos and stigma, limited access to hygienic menstrual products and poor sanitation infrastructure undermines the educational opportunities, health and overall social status of women and girls* around the world. As a result, millions of women and girls are prevented from reaching their full potential.
Menstrual Hygiene Day (MH Day) is a global advocacy platform that brings together non-profits, government agencies, individuals, the private sector and the media to promote good menstrual health and hygiene (MHH). More specifically, MH Day:
- breaks the silence, raises awareness and changes negative social norms around MHH, and
- engages decision-makers to increase the political priority and catalyse action for MHH, at global, national and local levels.
MH Day has grown tremendously since it was first celebrated in 2014.
Menstrual Hygiene Day was initiated by the German non-profit WASH United in 2013. WASH United is the overall global coordinator of MH Day and acts as its international secretariat. WASH United’s role includes:
- coordination of the MH Day partner network comprising of >910 social impact organisations,
- overall strategy and direction for MH Day,
- creation and dissemination of content for the annual MH Day campaign and ongoing campaigning,
- external communication (MH Day website, social media and newsletters) and representation of MH Day (at conferences and other sector events),
- strategic partnerships (including with the media) and fundraising,
- and monitoring and reporting.
By 2030, it is possible to create a world where no one is held back because they menstruate. This means a world menstruation can be managed safely, hygienically, with confidence, and without shame:
- everyone can access and afford the menstrual product of their choice
- period stigma is a thing of the past
- everyone has basic information about menstruation
- everyone can access period-friendly water, sanitation and hygiene facilities everywhere
However, we’re at a crossroads. To scale our collective action to end period poverty and stigma by 2030, we need significantly more investment in menstrual health and hygiene now.
Learn more at www.menstrualhygieneday.org
