International Menstruation Hygiene Day 2025: Eliminating Shame, Providing Access for Everyone Globally
Celebrating World Menstrual Hygiene Day: A Step Towards a #PeriodFriendlyWorld
Every year on May 28, the world comes together to celebrate World Menstrual Hygiene Day. This significant day was first celebrated in 2014, initiated by the German-based non-profit organization, Wash United.
The day is dedicated to breaking the silence and stigma around menstruation, raising awareness about menstrual health, and promoting access to menstrual hygiene products and education globally. The theme for World Menstrual Hygiene Day 2025 is "Together for a #PeriodFriendlyWorld", which calls for collective action to erase stigma, improve access to menstrual health resources, and foster open conversations about menstruation.
A #PeriodFriendlyWorld is envisioned as one where no one feels ashamed or held back by their period, where schools and workplaces provide free sanitary products, and where policies ensure menstrual health is prioritized. This world is crucial in ensuring girls and women can reach their full potential without being limited by period-related challenges.
Menstrual hygiene involves more than just using sanitary products. It's about overall health and well-being, including choosing safe menstrual products, changing them regularly, washing regularly, wearing clean, breathable undergarments, disposing of menstrual waste properly, and tracking one's cycle.
Limited access to menstrual products, stigma and taboos, inadequate sanitation facilities, and health risks are major challenges in menstrual health. To address these issues, advocacy on Menstrual Hygiene Day pushes for the elimination of tampon/pad taxes, government-funded menstrual programs, and free menstrual products in schools, workplaces, and public spaces.
The day also emphasizes the need for better infrastructure to ensure proper sanitation and disposal methods for menstrual hygiene products. This is crucial in preventing health risks and ensuring a clean environment.
Individuals can contribute to creating a #PeriodFriendlyWorld by raising awareness to break taboos around menstruation through open conversations and education, supporting or volunteering with organizations working on menstrual health and hygiene, advocating for policy changes, donating menstrual hygiene products to those in need, organizing community drives, and sharing accurate information on social media.
World Menstrual Hygiene Day is celebrated globally through various activities, including educational campaigns, social media awareness, community drives & product donations, policy advocacy, and artistic & storytelling initiatives. It is a global movement supported by governments, NGOs, activists, healthcare providers, and corporations that champion menstrual health.
This year, let's join the global movement and strive together for a #PeriodFriendlyWorld, where menstruation is recognized, respected, and accommodated in every space, ensuring that it is not a barrier to education, employment, or dignity.
References:
[1] World Health Organization. (2021). Menstrual Hygiene Management. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/menstrual-hygiene-management
[2] Menstrual Hygiene Day. (2021). 2025 Theme. Retrieved from https://www.menstrualhygieneday.org/about/theme/
[3] Wash United. (2021). About Menstrual Hygiene Day. Retrieved from https://www.menstrualhygieneday.org/about/
[4] Menstrual Hygiene Day. (2021). Get Involved. Retrieved from https://www.menstrualhygieneday.org/get-involved/
- In line with the envisioned #PeriodFriendlyWorld, it's essential to advocate for the interconnection of science and health-and-wellness, particularly in women's health, to ensure a comprehensive understanding of menstrual hygiene and its impact on overall female well-being.
- To foster a #PeriodFriendlyWorld, science plays a crucial role in developing safe and sustainable menstrual products, contributing to the health-and-wellness sector and improving the quality of life for women globally.
