#MenstrualHygieneDay 2019 – Empowering Women Through Good Menstrual Hygiene

The world today (May 28, 2019) celebrates Menstrual Hygiene Day (MHD) 2019, which presents a global platform to all organizations and individuals involved in promoting Menstrual Hygiene Management.

The Menstrual Hygiene Day helps break the awkwardness around menstrual taboos and create more awareness of the role of menstrual hygiene in taking women and girls to their full potential.

The theme for this year’s #MDH2019 is NoMoreLimits – Empowering Women and Girls Through Good Menstrual Hygiene.

The theme directs women and girls across the globe to:

• End menstrual shame by sharing their story
• Empowering vulnerable girls by becoming a ‘period buddy’
• Show that women and girls can do anything during their periods

In many countries across the world, menstruation is treated as a taboo and women & girls are forced to practice certain traditions that are unhealthy for their well-being around that time.

Nepal is one such country, where the unethical practice of Chhaupadi puts the risk of a considerable number of women and girls at risk. Women and girls are forced to live outside their houses during their periods.

Mentioned below are some of the health risks associated with poor menstrual hygiene:

• The usage of sanitary pad alternatives such as dried leave or paper can cause fungal infection in the reproductive tract
• Prolonged wearing of sanitary pads for 6-8 hours can lead to rashes or vaginal infections
• Most women dispose sanitary napkins in dustbins, where they get mixed with dry, wet and other toxic waste. If exposed, they can caused serious health issues and skin diseases.

MDH was started by a German-based NGO WASH United in 2014 and the 28th was selected to acknowledge the average length of the menstrual cycle (28 days).