What is Menstrual Hygiene Day?
Yearly, May 28 (which was yesterday!) marks Menstrual Hygiene Day. The purpose of this day is to acknowledge the importance of menstrual care and highlight the need for menstrual products for those who have little to no access to it. By advocating for access to proper menstrual care and education, we get closer to removing the stigma around menstruation.
By Rebekah Grace de Guzman
What is Menstruation?
Monthly, women and people with uteruses shed, causing menstrual blood (partially blood and partially tissue) to transfer from the inside of the uterus to the cervix, and out through the vagina. This process is called menstruation, more commonly referred to as a period. On average, menstruation begins at the age of 12.
Source: Cleveland Clinic
What is Menstrual Hygiene?
Menstrual hygiene is how one maintains menstruation. By using items such as sanitary pads or tampons to collect and dispose of their menstrual blood, and by practicing good menstrual hygiene, you prevent infections and odors, and can remain comfortable while on your period.
Source: CDC
What Prevents Proper Menstrual Hygiene?
Period poverty is one obstacle to proper menstrual hygiene. This can look like a lack of access to menstrual hygiene products or sanitation facilities. As a result, women and menstruating people resort to inadequate methods, such as utilizing old clothes, paper, cotton, wool, and leaves, to collect their menstrual blood: This can lead to infections. Period poverty can also occur when menstruation is seen as a social taboo resulting in little to no understanding of, and negative attitudes toward menstruation. Changes in circumstance can also lead to poor menstrual hygiene, for example, during humanitarian crises.
Source: NLH
A Response: Period Dignity.
Period poverty, challenges to proper menstrual hygiene due to humanitarian crises, and the stigma around menstruation in our society merge with the issues of gender equality and public health. Period dignity: “A principle that advocates for the right of every individual to manage their menstrual cycle in a way that is healthy, affordable, and free from stigma and discrimination,” helps us address this.
Source: Citron Hygiene, USCRI
How Can You Help?
To fight for menstrual hygiene, local to you or globally, you can advocate and educate for it within your communities and with your elected representatives. Volunteer with organizations dedicated to period equity. Donate menstrual products to shelters, schools, organizations, and other places that need them. Menstrual Hygiene Day may have already passed, but the need for action is every day of the year.
Source: Citron Hygiene
“Menstrual hygiene is fundamental to human rights, gender equality and human dignity. It is that unequivocal.”
– Ban Ki-Moon, 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations
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