Menstrual health is a crucial part of sexual and reproductive health and rights for women, adolescent girls, transgender men, and non-binary people who menstruate. According to UNICEF (2023) approximately 1.8 billion people menstruate every month. Yet, many do not have access to safe and affordable period products, adequate water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities, comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education, or environments free of menstrual stigma and shame. This can result in them not being able to attain their menstrual health, leading to period poverty.
The definition of menstrual health (2021) states that “menstrual health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not just the absence of disease or infirmity related to the menstrual cycle” This means that women, adolescent girls, transgender men, and non-bonary people who menstruate should have access to accurate and age-appropriate information about menstruation, use effective and affordable menstrual materials with supportive facilities and services, access timely diagnosis and treatment for menstrual cycle-related discomforts and disorders, experience positive and respectful environment free from stigma and psychological distress. They should also have the freedom to participate in all spheres of life without menstrual-related exclusion, restriction, discrimination, coercion, and violence.
Period poverty is a global issue that can affect anyone who menstruates at any stage across their reproductive life-cycle but can disproportionately impact adolescent girls. This can cause them to miss school which can result in extreme circumstances which lead to gender-based violence or child marriage. Adequate menstrual health programmes that address menstrual health holistically, create enabling environments, and promote rights-based approaches require insights from lived experience. The inclusion of the perspectives of adolescent girls and adolescents who menstruate in the co-design of intersectional, inclusive and rights-based menstrual health programmes, communications, and advocacy efforts could ensure contextual, cultural, and age-appropriate intervention that leads to the attainment of menstrual health.
Menstrual health movements worldwide focus on changing how people view menstrual health, not only as a water, sanitation, and hygiene issue, but also by raising awareness about the challenges regarding menstrual health being a human right and public health issue. The global menstrual health movement needs more youth voices, so it can continue to evolve to meet the needs of women, adolescent girls, and all people that menstruate! Including youth fosters positive social change, ensures inclusion, and many more.
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