Facts about Menstrual Hygiene Day

Tomorrow is Menstrual Hygiene Day. It is intended to raise awareness on menstruation and focus on emphasizing the importance of menstrual hygiene management.

Here are some important facts about Menstrual Hygiene Day:

• Menstrual Hygiene Day or MH Day is marked on May 28 each year to highlight the importance of good and proper menstrual hygiene globally.
• May is the 5th month of the year, that is the average menstruation days of women each month. Since the average menstrual cycle is 28 days, date 28 is chosen.
• The day was initiated by the German non-profit WASH United in 2013. The impact has grown since 2014.
• WASH United is the global coordinator of MH Day.
• Several taboos and stigma are prevalent on menstruation across the globe. As a result, poor menstrual hygiene exists. In order to break the silence on the issue, the day was initiated.
• Several programmes are conducted to raise awareness on menstrual hygiene.
• The activities are coordinated by local MH Day partners in various countries.
• At present, around 410 official partners are there for it.
• Several non-governmental organizations include Plan International, Water for People, SNV, Plan etc. are the partners.
• The suppliers of menstrual hygiene products such as washable menstrual pads and menstrual cups are also some of the partners of the MH Day.
• In developing countries, Menstrual Hygiene Day not only raises awareness on menstrual hygiene but also helps strengthen government’s responsibility related to MHM issues.
• The MHM issues remain challenging especially for girls and women in developing countries due to lack of enough clean water and toilet facilities.
• In addition to that, most of the traditional cultures prevent them from discussing their issues related to menstruation openly.
• They don’t have to access to important information about their own body and its functions. This impacts their health adversely.

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