My Age Zimbabwe (MAZ) joins the rest of the world in commemorating Menstrual Hygiene Day together with the Great Zimbabwe University Peer educators,Zvandiri ,Saywhat and My Voice in Zimbabwe through a dialogue which focused on Menstrual Health Management and demystifying myths around having menstruation conversations.
Menstrual Hygiene Day is celebrated on the 28 day of may each year ,this year MHDay was celebrated under the theme “Making menstruation a normal fact of life by 2030”
My Age Zimbabwe and its partners are committed took the commemorations as platform to taking steps in breaking the taboos and the stigma surrounding menstruation by bringing menstruation out into the open, letting young people know that it’s okay to discuss, properly naming and talking about menstruation without using euphemisms.
The Menstrual Health dialogues helped shed light on the major challenges faced by women and girls highlighting stigma as the major challenge.
Millions of women and girls throughout the world are stigmatized, alienated, and discriminated against merely because they menstruate, the menstrual hygiene dialogue contributed to reducing tensions around menstruation conversations.
MAZ and its partners committed to work all year round to end the period of poverty and period stigma and increase awareness about the challenges regarding access to menstrual products, education about menstruation and period-friendly sanitation facilities, as well to mobilize the funding required for action at scale through a period poverty campaign.
In Commemoration of MHM Day
Let us not forget:
Periods are a natural bodily function experienced by half of the world’s population. Yet for many women and girls, accessing menstrual products can be a challenging and often unaffordable task. Period poverty, the inability for someone to access or afford menstrual products, is a widespread issue that affects millions of people worldwide.
In some cases, women and girls are forced to resort to using rags, paper towels, or even plastic bags as makeshift sanitary products. This can lead to infections, discomfort, and embarrassment. The financial burden of purchasing menstrual products can also put undue strain on already tight budgets and result in difficult choices between basic needs such as food, shelter, and hygiene.
Period poverty is a multifaceted issue that has severe implications for women’s health, education, and dignity.
A lack of access to menstrual products can have a devastating impact on a woman’s mental and physical well-being. Women and girls may feel ashamed and embarrassed, which can lead to low self-esteem and a fear of social exclusion. Period poverty can even cause some women to miss work or school, which creates a ripple effect on their economic stability and social mobility.
Breaking the stigma around menstruation is essential to eradicate period poverty. There is need to start talking openly and honestly about periods as a natural process that requires basic hygiene and medical care. This means challenging the negative attitudes and misconceptions that perpetuate period poverty and creating safe spaces for women and girls to share their experiences and seek support.
Governments and community organizations also play a crucial role in addressing period poverty. They can implement policies that prioritize menstrual hygiene management, provide financial assistance to low-income households, and distribute free or subsidized menstrual products to those in need.
Conclusively, period poverty is a significant barrier to gender equality and social justice. It is essential that we recognize the issue and take action to ensure that everyone has access to safe and affordable menstrual products. By breaking the stigma and providing essential resources and support, we can empower women and girls and promote their health, dignity, and well-being.
