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28th May 2014 – First Global Menstrual Hygiene Day

 In Mumbai Smiles

29 may

Knowledge comes when we break out of the confines of silence and greet change. Celebrating womanhood in its truest sense, 28th May 2014 observed the breaking of this silence by marking the first Global Menstrual Hygiene Day. In May 2013, WASH United pioneered a 28-day social media campaign dedicated to generating awareness about menstruation. The campaign received a huge positive response and consequently, the idea of observing a Menstrual Hygiene Day was conceived. This day publicly recognizes the right of women to hygienically manage their menstruation. By acknowledging that menstruation is a normal human process and a sign of good health, Menstrual Hygiene Day confronts the stigmas attached to menstruation with collective advocacy, education and action. It serves as a neutral platform to bring together individuals, organizations, social businesses and the media to create a united and strong voice for women and girls around the world, helping to break the silence around menstrual hygiene management.

Menstruation is a normal biological process and a key sign of reproductive health, yet in many cultures it is still considered taboo. The continued silence around menstruation, combined with limited access to information at home and in schools, results in millions of women and girls to have very little knowledge about menstruation and how to deal with it.

Facing long-standing social stigmas attached to menstruation, many girls become isolated from their family, friends and communities. Often, they miss school and skip productive work days, falling behind their male counterparts. One school girl, Kishori, from Bettiah, India elaborates, “I hate menstruation because I have to miss my school during those days and I love my school. My school does not have any facilities where I can change and dispose menstrual waste. On those days my mother always forces me to stay at home.”

WASH United has developed a menstrual hygiene management curriculum to educate about taboos, hygiene and reproductive health. The curriculum is designed for training of teachers/trainers as well as adolescent girls and boys.

It’s time to spread awareness and BREAK this TABOO to help young girls and women be more secure, healthy and happy. !!

 

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