Menstrual hygiene day is celebrated every 28th of May with the theme for this year being #periodfriendly world. We are championing for ending stigma that comes with menstruation and opening into a world where it can be talked about freely without any awkwardness or embarrassment. Over the years many NGOs have come forward to support the end of stigma and provision of menstrual hygiene products and we are pleased with then milestones we have accomplished. We are on the road to urging fathers and men in general to be a part of this.
When we speak of menstrual hygiene we most probably immediately think of sanitary pads which are a good thing. But hygiene in menstruation means access to the pads and water as well as proper disposal of the same. One of the key objectives of menstrual hygiene day is to raise awareness about the importance of menstrual hygiene management. It is essential to highlight the role of sanitation and proper disposal in ensuring women and girls can manage their periods safely and with dignity Most of the time we lean towards provision of the products and we forget that of this products are disposed inappropriately, then we have an issue of bad hygiene. Provision of clean water is a major issue and considering communities that use the reusable pads, the issue of hygiene becomes a major challenge. Access to clean water is fundamental for practicing good menstrual hygiene. Clean water ensures that women can effectively manage their menstrual cycles without the risk of infections or other complications. The reusable sanitary towels have been a great innovation toward providing sanitary products. However, they come with a lot of questions and concerns. How many times can one be reused? How should it be washed? Can it be shared? In communities where they don’t speak freely on menses then it means that the women will not hang them out to dry and therefore will have dampness that may lead to infections. Now we solve a problem and create another.
In the urban areas the disposal of used pads has become a great concern with management of solid waste being a work in progress. Improper disposal methods such as throwing used sanitary products into open spaces or water bodies not only pollute the environment but also pose health risks to communities. The landfilling method is considered unhygienic since we are dealing with blood. Sorting the waste at the household level would be the most recommended method but many household do not have proper waste handling facilities.
As we approach the D-day, we need to teach our daughters and sisters on the proper disposal of sanitary products. Educate both women and men about menstruation, breaking taboos and promoting open discussions to eliminate the stigma associated with periods. Teach them personal hygiene and inform them of the many products available in the market. Provide schools with clean private toilets and clean water and ensure that there are bins for disposal of the used sanitary products and if this is a challenge since resources could be minimal, then have at least one or two pit latrines. Let’s reaffirm our commitment to promoting menstrual health by prioritizing the provision of sanitation facilities and promoting proper waste disposal practices. Empowering women and girls to manage their periods safely and confidently is not just a matter of health and dignity but also a matter of gender equality and human rights.