Menstrual Hygiene: A Taboo In The Society

Posted by weta global on March 24th, 2020

Have you ever imagined how women feel when they are forbidden to cook or touch cooking utensils or go to the temple in fear of contamination? There are so many aspects of life in which women need to be empowered. In many cultures, menstruating women are considered impure. Moreover there are so many taboo and stigmas attached to menstruation. And “Menstrual Hygiene” about which most people don’t like to talk. The menstrual hygiene management allows women and girls all across the globe to reach their full potential. The MHM (menstrual hygiene management) ensures that something as natural as the periods should not limit them. Good menstrual hygiene is extremely important as it is related to the health of women.

But a large number of women don't have the access to water, clean toilets, soap and even sanitary materials. So many women and girls all across the world face this harsh reality, especially in Pacific island countries. And their fault is that they are female and undergoing the normal biological process of menstruation. This is the reason why WHO, UNO and many other women empowerment organizations find the need of better menstrual hygiene management to empower women and girls in such regions. In fact, the World Bank is working towards the betterment of menstrual hygiene of women with the help of practitioners, technical support to governments and partnerships with other organizations. The global efforts of supporting menstrual hygiene management is directly linked to women and girls’ rights to equality, health, and dignity, which is still very low.

The Challenge of Menstrual Hygiene Management

According to research, around 500 million women and girls lack adequate facilities like WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) in schools, workplaces etc. for menstrual hygiene management (MHM) globally. This is a big challenge for them in order to maintain their menstrual hygiene in a safe and dignified manner. The lack of all the basic menstrual hygiene facilities result in school absenteeism, which has severe economic costs on their lives and in the country.

It is very important to understand the fact that promoting menstrual hygiene management (MHM) is not only a sanitation matter. But it is a matter of taking initiative towards not just safeguarding dignity, but also overall life opportunities for women and girls.

Speaking of Women Association USA, Jhansi Reddy WETA is one of the biggest names in the women empowerment organizations. The organization aims towards empowering girls and young women in the USA. WETA (Telugu Women Association) is a non-profit organization which was founded by Jhansi Reddy WETA in the year 2019. Join hands and let's create a world in which every woman and girl can manage her menstruation in a hygienic way.