Menstrual Hygiene Day 2022: Women's Health Needs Attention

Menstrual Hygiene Day 2022 brings a goal into focus. It is about making menstruation a normal fact of life by 2030. The day makes one hope that we will be able to move forward from the past horrors and superstitions related to menstruation and as a society we will become more aware of menstrual health.

Every year menstrual hygiene day is celebrated on May 28, which signifies the 28 days fertility cycle that women have

This day was originally initiated by the German Non-Profit WASH United in 2013. They are global coordinators of the day as well as the international secretariat. They started a 28-day social media campaign on Twitter stating, "May #MENSTRAVAGANZA on generating awareness about menstruation and MHM as important considerations within water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) development initiative."

Suggested Reading: #MenstrualHygieneDay: Why Menstrual Hygiene Matters

Menstrual Hygiene Day 2022

The struggle to get rid of the stigma and get access in terms of menstrual health is still a dream that many people are waiting to come true. According to UNICEF, "stigma, poverty, and lack of access to basic services like toilets and water are causing menstrual health and hygiene needs to go unmet and increasing women and girls' risk of infections."

As per the organisation, the development towards achieving the dream is slow but progressing. They state that by 2020, 42 countries had nationally representative data on at least one of the four indicators. Out of which 31 countries have information on at least three indicators.

The analysis also shows that limited participation in school, work and social activities depends on factors like geography, socio-economy and individual characteristics. The common reason for them to not participate has been a stigma, and lack of access to products, and many girls even remain unaware before their first cycle begins.

As per the data from the National Family Health Survey (2019-2021), 70 percent of women aged between 15 and 24 in rural India do not use sanitary napkins during their periods. This clearly indicates that a lot of work is yet to be accomplished in order to progress in terms of menstrual health understanding.

The National Health Mission on their site has stated that the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has introduced a scheme for the promotion of menstruation health amongst girls between the age of 10 and 19 in rural India. The objective is to increase awareness, and access to high-quality sanitary napkins, and ensure their usage in an environment-friendly manner, among others.