• RIGHT TO MENSTRUAL EQUITY

  • Globally, an estimated 500 million girls and women lack access to menstrual products and hygiene facilities.

  • 1.25 billion women and girls have no access to a safe, private toilet.

  • 526 million women and girls do not have a toilet at all.

What is Menstrual Equity?

Globally, 500 million girls and women lack access to menstrual products and hygiene facilities. 23 million girls in India drop out of school each year when they begin their period, and those who remain in school might miss up to 5 days of school each month during their period. In the US, 2 in 5 menstruators struggle with access to period supplies like pads and tampons.

Promoting menstrual equity is essential for ensuring that girls can fully exercise their human rights and participate equally in all aspects of life. This involves addressing the barriers to menstrual equity, such as inadequate infrastructure, lack of education, and cultural stigma, as well as advocating for policies and programs that support menstrual health and hygiene for all.

What Are the Problems Caused by Menstrual Inequity?

Poverty: Many girls and women in low-income households cannot afford menstrual hygiene products, forcing them to use unsanitary and unsafe alternatives, such as rags, newspapers, or leaves.

Lack of access to menstrual products: In some regions, especially rural areas, access to menstrual products may be limited due to poor supply chains, limited availability in local shops, or high costs.

Cultural and social stigma: Menstruation is still considered a taboo subject in many societies, leading to misconceptions, shame, and discrimination against girls. This stigma can hinder efforts to improve access to menstrual hygiene products and education.

Inadequate sanitation facilities: Many schools, workplaces, and public spaces lack proper sanitation facilities, such as clean toilets, running water, making it difficult for girls to manage periods.

Lack of education: Limited access to accurate information about menstruation and hygiene can lead to misinformation, unhealthy practices, and perpetuation of stigmas related to menstruation.

Gender inequality: Social norms around gender roles can contribute to marginalisation of girls' menstrual health needs.

Limited policy and legal frameworks: Inadequate policies and laws can hinder menstrual equity.

How Does Menstrual Inequity affect Girls’ Human Rights?

  • RIGHT TO HEALTH

    Girls’ health can be negatively impacted by a lack of supplies and facilities to deal with menstruation. Stigma associated with menstruation can also prevent them from seeking treatment for menstruation-related disorders or pain. These factors prevent girls from enjoying a good standard of health.

  • RIGHT TO WATER & SANITATION

    Water and sanitation facilities that are private, safe and affordable are basic prerequisites for managing menstrual health. Often, these basic facilities are lacking.

  • RIGHT TO DIGNITY

    Stigma, exclusion and a lack of access to menstrual products and effective ways of managing menstrual hygiene undermine the principle of human dignity.

  • RIGHT TO EDUCATION

    Girls attendance and performance at school suffers when they do not have the access to clean and safe facilities and sanitary products; and when they are unable to access medication to deal with menstrual pain in school.

  • RIGHT TO WORK

    Menstrual inequity limit job opportunities for girls. It may impact the types of jobs they undertake, the hours they work, and thus their income. They face penalisation for menstrual breaks & suffer workplace discrimination related to menstruation taboos.

  • RIGHT TO NON-DISCRIMINATION

    Stigmas and norms related to menstruation can reinforce discriminatory practices. Menstruation-related barriers to school, work, health services and public activities also perpetuate gender inequalities.

The International Legal Framework

  • Human rights instruments

    Menstrual equity is not directly addressed in international law, but various aspects are covered under several human rights instruments and guidelines that emphasize gender equality, access to education, health, sanitation, and the right to live with dignity.

  • Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)

    Promotes gender equality and women's rights, including access to healthcare services and information, which can be interpreted as ensuring access to menstrual hygiene products and education about menstruation.

  • Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)

    Protecting children's rights to health, education, and an adequate standard of living, the CRC includes access to age-appropriate information on reproductive health, such as menstrual health, and adequate sanitation facilities in schools.

  • International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR):

    Guarantees the right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, including menstrual health, and recognises the right to education, encompassing information on menstruation and menstrual hygiene management.

  • Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

    These non-legally binding goals provide a global framework for addressing development challenges, including gender equality, access to education, and clean water and sanitation. Menstrual equity is relevant to several SDGs, such as 3 (good health and well-being), 4 (quality education), 5 (gender equality), and 6 (clean water and sanitation).

How Can Girls Advocate for Menstrual Equity?

  • Learn about menstruation, menstrual hygiene management, and global challenges faced by menstruators. Share this knowledge with others.

  • Discuss menstruation to break stigma & encourage dialogue among peers, teachers, & community leaders.

  • Host workshops, presentations, or discussions in schools or communities to raise awareness about menstrual equity.

  • Contact policy makers to push for policies and legislation promoting menstrual equity, such as free menstrual products in schools, public spaces, and workplaces, or eliminating taxes on these products.

  • Participate in or establish clubs or organizations focusing on menstrual equity. Collaborate to plan events, campaigns, or educational materials.

  • Collect and donate menstrual products to shelters, schools, or community organisations.

  • Share stories, facts, and resources about menstrual equity on social media platforms. Use hashtags and join online campaigns to amplify the message.

  • Collaborate with local organisations: Partner with NGOs, charities, or community organisations working on menstrual equity issues.