How addressing menstrual health and hygiene may enable progress across the Sustainable Development Goals

Abstract

There is increasing global attention to the importance of menstrual health and hygiene (MHH) for the lives of those who menstruate and gender equality. Yet, the global development community, which focuses on issues ranging from gender to climate change to health, is overdue to draw attention to how addressing MHH may enable progress in attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). To address this gap, we undertook a collective exercise to hypothesize the linkages between MHH and the 17 SDGs, and to identify how MHH contributes to priority outcome measures within key sectoral areas of relevance to menstruating girls in low-and middle-income countries. These areas included Education, Gender, Health (Sexual and Reproductive Health; Psychosocial Wellbeing), and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH). These efforts were undertaken from February -March 2019 by global monitoring experts, together with select representatives from research institutions, non-governmental organizations, and governments (n = 26 measures task force members). Through this paper we highlight the findings of our activities. First, we outline the existing or potential linkages between MHH and all of the SDGs. Second, we report the identified priority outcomes related to MHH for key sectors to monitor. By identifying the potential contribution of MHH towards achieving the SDGs and highlighting the ways in which MHH can be monitored within these goals, we aim to advance recognition of the fundamental role of MHH in the development efforts of countries around the world.

Menstrual poverty: enough is enough

“…According to the Terminology Action Group of the Global Menstrual Collective, "Menstrual health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, in relation to the menstrual cycle." (Hennegan et al 2021). Menstrual poverty or period poverty refers to the lack of access to the much needed hygiene products during monthly periods as well as being able to access adequate places to use them which includes basic sanitation services and receiving information about menstruation (Rossouw and Ross 2021).…”

“…Interest on the issue has sparked initiatives to educate women and the general population on menstruation in an attempt to reduce stigma and misconceptions as well as provide adequate healthcare. In fact, providing decent care for menstrual health should be considered an important step toward attaining the Sustainable Development Goals defined by the United Nations (Sommer et al 2021).…”

“…The theme has been neglected for too long and the consequences for women's health can no longer be ignored. Recent publications, however, have started to focus on the theme and call for urgent action mainly in low-income countries (Critchley et al 2020;Rossouw and Ross 2021;Sommer et al 2021). In addition to providing hygiene products and clean water and sanitation, investments in research and education not only in the natural process involved in menstruation but also in the associated menstrual disorders such as endometriosis and abnormal uterine bleeding are of paramount importance.…”

Confidence to manage menstruation among university students in Australia: Evidence from a cross-sectional survey

“… 3 , 4 However, the global discourse has since acknowledged the importance of addressing menstruation to improve the health and well-being, education and employment prospects of women, girls and all people who menstruate and to advance gender equality. 5 …”

Use and perceptions on reusable and non-reusable menstrual products in Spain: A mixed-methods study

“…There has been a growing attention towards menstruation and menstrual management in the last few years. This mostly comes as a reaction to the lack of strategies to ensure adequate menstrual management and reduce menstrual inequities and promote menstrual health, along with a lack of research and sociopolitical awareness [ 1 – 3 ]. As other researchers and organisations, we advocate for menstrual health as a public health and human rights issue [ 4 ].…”