Why Menstrual Hygiene Should Matter to Men as Much as Women

Women in parts of the world believe that menstruation is a disease.

Menstrual hygiene is a problem that plagues most women world-over. (Photo: iStock)

When added up, women spend a total of around six to seven years of their lives menstruating. Menstrual Hygiene Day, which aims to raise awareness about the issue, takes place on May 28.

For women and girls to live healthy, productive and dignified lives, they must have access to toilets, water, soap and sanitary towels, development experts say. Yet too often their needs are neglected, experts say.

Why Does Menstrual Hygiene Matter?

On any given day more than 800 million women between the ages of 15 and 49 have their period.

However, globally 1.25 billion women do not have access to a toilet during menstruation, according to the charity WaterAid.

The United Nations estimates that due to a lack of facilities, one in 10 girls in Africa will miss school during their period and will eventually drop out of school as a result.

Where is Menstruation Still a Taboo?

Menstruation is still taboo in many countries around the world. Women refer to their periods using some 5,000 euphemisms, such as “on the rag” and “Bloody Mary”, a survey of 90,000 people in 190 countries, found.

In parts of Nepal, women practice “chaupadi”, a tradition which cuts them off from the rest of society when they are menstruating. The custom forces women to sleep in sheds or outbuildings while they are on their period. They are not allowed to enter houses or temples, use public water sources, take part in festivals or touch others during their menstruation.

Despite being outlawed by Nepal’s supreme court in 2005, “chaupadi” is still practised by as many as 95 percent of girls and women.

Almost half of girls in Iran and 10 percent of girls in India believe menstruation is a disease, according to WaterAid. Discrimination against menstruating women is also found in parts of Africa.

In Sierra Leone, for example, some women are forbidden from entering religious ceremonies and key community engagements during their period as they’re seen to be tainted in some way.

Apollos Nwafor, WaterAid’s West Africa Advocacy Manager

Why Is It a Neglected Issue?

Women’s needs are often overlooked by those responsible for ensuring access to water, sanitation and hygiene.

Lack of awareness about the problem and appropriate solutions among often male policymakers and male-dominated communities means that menstrual hygiene is not prioritised, researchers say.

What Are Some of The Impacts?

Social exclusion, shame and embarrassment.

If girls get blood on their skirts when they are on their periods, the boys would say, ‘shameless girls’. They would disgrace and tease us.

Ayisha Sadik, High School Student in Ghana

“You feel uncomfortable because boys have seen blood on you, and you would be panicked in class. Even to play with them, it is very difficult.”

(This story was published in an arrangement with Reuters.)