WHO Calls Menstrual Health A Health And Human Rights Issue, Not A Hygiene Issue

The World Health Organisation (WHO) calls for menstrual health to be recognised and framed as a health and human rights issue, not a hygiene issue. This request came in the 50th session of the Human Right Council Panel discussion on menstrual hygiene management, human rights and gender equality.

This article shares the highlights of the statement published on June 22 by the World Health Organisation. Read on.

Menstrual Health On The Global Agenda

Initially, the International Conference on the Population and Development or the Millennium Declaration did not identify menstrual health on the agenda. The issue was also not an explicit part of the Sustainable Development Goals targeting gender equality, health and sanitation and water.

However, the grass root workers and activists of the global South (grouping of countries within Africa, Latin America, Oceania and Asia regions) have drawn attention to reports speaking in length about girls and women experiencing embarrassment, shame and barriers while managing periods.

The reports prove that menstruation and stigma attached to it affect their lives and rights to education, health, water, work, non-discrimination, gender equality, and sanitation.

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Menstrual Health A Health And Human Rights Issue, Not A Hygiene Issue

Saluting activists and grass-root workers, WHO requested three actions. The first was to recognise and identify menstrual health as a health issue instead of a hygiene issue. Its psychological, physical and social dimensions must be considered.

The second was to identify that menstrual health would mean access to education and information about the terms to girls, women and other menstruators. The rope of accessibility should also stretch to water, menstrual products, disposal facilities, sanitation, livelihood and a work and study environment that see menstruation in a positive limelight.

The third was to ensure that all the identified activities become a part of sectoral work plans and budgets. The governments must also measure the progress of these plans.

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Governments Acting

The statement also mentioned that governments in many countries have started acting on this. While many have slashed taxes on menstrual products, others have asked schools and offices to ensure a menstruation-friendly environment that would offer comfort to the menstruators.

In India, period poverty is still a large-scale issue that needs to be addressed. 1 in 10 girls under the age of 21 cannot afford sanitary products. In fact, 70% of reproductive health issues result from poor menstrual hygiene.