Women on the rise – next step

http://reports.essity.com/2018-19/essentials-initiative-survey/results.html#filter=.s-menstruation.s-women
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The average woman menstruates approximately 3,000 days over her entire life. Periods can significantly impact women’s lives and cause social and physical discomfort. At the same time, this is a natural and a healthy sign of life. That is why it is essential to take menstruation into account in policy and development work. A human rights framework can be a useful tool to ensure that the needs of all people who menstruate is met, especially groups that are often neglected such as transgendered or disabled.

One reason why menstruation is often overlooked is because it is still seen as something not to be discussed in public. Activists around the globe are challenging this, but they need to be joined by decision-makers in both the public and private spheres. There is also a need for more knowledge about how the menstrual cycle affects women’s health. The hormone cycle can play a significant role in many types of illnesses that are more prevalent among women. Understanding how the hormone cycle can affect women’s health is important both for women and physicians.

Menstruation is a powerful entry point for gender equality, empowering girls and women to understand their bodies and speak up about their needs. It is also relevant for boys and men as menstruation concerns them to. To create a society where women’s hygiene and health needs are taken into account encompasses a combination of public policy, training and information, and courageous conversations in both the public and private spheres.

Calls for action:

  • Menstruation should be more talked about, let us make it our mission. Menstruation should not be seen as a taboo topic, but a natural part of education, development work, and other arenas. Public and private actors should use their reach and influence to enable more open conversations about menstruation.
  • Transform public places to allow all to manage their hygiene. In public spaces, at school, or work, girls and women need to have access to clean water, safe, clean and private hygiene facilities, essential sanitary products – cloth, pads and menstrual cups – and the means to clean them for reuse and dispose of them safely.
  • Prioritize strengthening menstrual health literacy on all levels. More research on how menstruation can affect women’s health and how to manage potential ill-health is needed, and education and training about the menstruation cycle should be promoted.