For more education: International Menstrual Hygiene Day on 28 May
May 28th marks International Menstrual Hygiene Day, which puts menstrual health and hygiene in the spotlight. This initiative was launched in 2014 by the NGO WASH United to raise awareness of the challenges that menstruating people face around the world and to promote the urgently needed removal of taboos around the topic.
The challenges around menstrual hygiene worldwide
The challenges associated with menstruation are diverse and complex. In many countries, girls and women have difficulty going to school or working during their period due to cultural norms and a lack of education. In addition to period poverty, i.e. the fact that many women around the world cannot afford period products, schools and workplaces also lack the necessary facilities to maintain adequate menstrual hygiene. In Malawi, for example, 70 percent of girls miss up to three days of school every month because schools lack opportunities to wash themselves, change period products or they cannot afford menstrual products. (1)
There are also challenges in wealthier countries. The "tampon tax" - the taxation of menstrual products as a luxury item - is a controversial issue. Activists around the world are campaigning for these products to be recognized as necessary goods and to be given tax relief. Only in 2020, the tax on period products in Germany was reduced from 19% to 7%.
What needs to happen to meet the challenges
Promote health education and raise awareness: In many cultures and communities, menstruation is still a taboo subject. Education about menstruation and menstrual hygiene is often inadequate. Providing information and educational resources can help to clear up misconceptions, taboos and myths surrounding menstruation.
Improve access to menstrual products: Many people, especially in poorer regions around the world, do not have access to safe and hygienic menstrual products. This can cause serious health problems and significantly affect the ability to participate in social and economic life. There are many places around the world that lack basic sanitation infrastructure. Menstrual Hygiene Day highlights the need to provide clean and safe sanitation facilities in schools, workplaces and public facilities.
Progress and initiatives
Fortunately, a lot has been done in recent years to remove the taboo surrounding menstruation. In addition to us, there are many other organizations, clubs and companies that are committed to educating and removing the taboo:
Educational campaigns: Organizations such as Plan International and WASH United are working to launch educational campaigns in schools and communities to improve awareness and knowledge about menstruation.
Availability of menstrual products: Initiatives such as the distribution of free menstrual products in schools and public facilities in countries such as Scotland and New Zealand are setting an important example and offering practical support. In Germany, too, more and more companies, communities and educational institutions are deciding to provide period products.
Political measures: Some countries have started to reduce or completely abolish taxes on menstrual products in order to reduce the financial burden on menstruating people.
Conclusion
International Menstrual Hygiene Day is intended to draw attention to the importance, necessity and challenges of this issue. By raising awareness, improving accessibility and breaking cultural taboos, we can help improve the quality of life for millions of people around the world. Let's speak up today and talk about the importance of menstrual hygiene so that conditions for menstruating people everywhere can improve!
(1) https://www.plan.de/presse/pressematerial-tag-der-menstruationshygiene.html?sc=IDQ24100