Menstrual Hygiene Day: Putting An End To 'Period' Poverty

Menstrual Hygiene Day (MHD, MH Day in short) is an annual awareness day on May 28 to highlight the importance of good menstrual hygiene management (MHM) at a global level.

It was initiated by the German-based NGO WASH United in 2013 and observed for the first time in 2014.

Since 2014, Menstrual Hygiene Day has been observed on the 28th day of the fifth month of the year as menstrual cycles average 28 days in length and people menstruate an average of five days each month.

The Day brings together governments, non-profits, the private sector, and individuals to promote good menstrual health and hygiene for everyone in the world. The occasion also aims at breaking the silence, raising awareness around menstrual issues and engaging decision-makers to take action for better menstrual health and hygiene.

Period poverty, or the inability to afford menstrual products, is a serious issue affecting menstruating girls and women.

According to research, girls are afraid of staining their clothes and become a target of bullying or abuse. As a result, gender inequality widens; boys will have an advantage as they attend school more often than girls, who have a higher chance of dropping out of education.

Poor menstrual health and hygiene undercuts fundamental rights – including the right to work and go to school – for women, girls and people who menstruate.

It also worsens social and economic inequalities. In addition, insufficient resources to manage menstruation, as well as patterns of exclusion and shame, undermine human dignity. Gender inequality, extreme poverty, humanitarian crises and harmful traditions can amplify deprivation and stigma.

With that in mind, the theme for Menstrual Hygiene Day this year is “Making menstruation a normal fact of life by 2030”