Thoughts by Ayotomiwa Ayodele
May 28 of every year has earmarked as the World Menstrual Hygiene Day by the United Nations. The day is observed to raise awareness about the importance of good menstrual hygiene management; its a platform to break the silence, educate communities, and advocate for better menstrual hygiene practices.
Unlike the general believe, menstrual hygiene is not just about using sanitary products but also encompasses the overall practices and conditions in which menstruating individuals manage their periods.
Proper menstrual hygiene is essential for the health, well-being, and dignity of women and girls. Here are some key benefits of maintaining good menstrual hygiene:
– Using clean and hygienic menstrual products, changing them regularly, and maintaining proper genital hygiene during menstruation can help prevent infections, urinary tract problems, and other health issues.
– Ensuring good menstrual hygiene management in schools can help girls stay in school during their periods, reducing absenteeism and dropout rates. Education about menstrual health empowers women and girls to make informed choices and take charge of their reproductive health.
– Access to quality menstrual products and facilities allows women and girls to manage their periods with dignity and confidence, enabling them to participate fully in daily activities, work, school, and social life.
– By openly discussing menstruation and challenging societal taboos and stereotypes surrounding periods, we can promote gender equality, foster inclusivity, and create a more supportive environment for women and girls.
As the world commemorate the 2024 world menstrual hygiene day, there is need for all stakeholders to deliberately take steps to advocate for policies that ensure access to affordable and quality menstrual products, educate yourself and others about menstrual health and hygiene, support organizations working to provide menstrual hygiene kits and education in underserved communities, challenge menstrual stigma and promote open conversations about periods, encourage innovation and research in developing sustainable menstrual hygiene solutions.
By recognizing the importance of good menstrual hygiene management and working together to address the challenges faced by women and girls around the world, we can create a more inclusive and equitable society where menstruation is no longer a barrier to women’s health, well-being, and dignity. Let us join hands to make every day a day of menstrual hygiene awareness and action.
Together, let’s break the silence, end the stigma, and ensure that every woman and girl can manage her period with dignity and confidence.
Happy World Menstrual Hygiene Day!