Global Conversations and Resources for Menstrual Hygiene Management in Schools

Global Conversations and Resources for MHM in Schools

Jordan Teague, MPH Associate Director for WASH Integration

WASH Advocates

Comparative International Education Society Conference 2015 Washington, DC March 9, 2015

WASH in Schools Partnership

2

Photo Credit: Plan Canada Credit: WaterAid/Mustafah Abdulaziz

Daily group handwashing

Post-2015 development agenda

WASH in schools evidence base

MHM in schools

Menstrual Hygiene Day:

• Facilitates coordination across sectors (WASH, reproductive health, education, social business, academia, etc.)

• Helps define awareness themes and messages, creating a unified voice

around the world

• Breaks the silence by confronting taboos around menstruation

• Promotes the work of partner and encourages events /celebrations around the world

• Drives global and national-level advocacy around MHM

Menstrual Hygiene Day (May 28) is an open, global platform that promotes advocacy and awareness around the importance of good MHM.

Menstrual Hygiene Day 2014

• Theme: ‘‘Let‘s end the hesitation around menstruation!‘‘

• + 215 global partners

• Strong partner coaltions formed in Kenya, Uganda, India, Nepal, US

• Planned ready-to-go POP UP Exhibition Toolkit for partners to raise awareness available mid-March 2015 available on www.menstrualhygieneday.org

• Theme: ‘‘Let‘s start the conversation about menstruation!‘‘

• + 150 global partners, + 53 events in 39 countries

• Media coverage in The Guardian, Mashable, Huffington Post

• Involvement of gov‘t officials from Kenya, Uganda, US, India, Nepal, Nigeria

• Distribution of IEC materials including factsheets, infographic, conversation guides, etc.

Menstrual Hygiene Day 2015

MHM in Post-2015

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Target 6.2: special attention to the needs of women

and girls

WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring

Programme (JMP)

Menstrual hygiene

indicators

5

MHM in Ten

“Girls in 2024 around the world are

knowledgeable about and comfortable with

their menstruation, and able to manage their menses in school in a comfortable, safe and

dignified way.”

6

MHM in Ten cont.

7

Priority 1: Strong cross-sectoral evidence base

Priority 2: Global guidelines for MHM in schools

Priority 3: Comprehensive, evidence-based advocacy platform

Priority 4: National governments allocate responsibility for MHM in schools

Priority 5: Integrate MHM into education systems

MHM Research

MHM Barriers to Girls’ Education

8

Public policy

Cultural beliefs

School WASH facilities MHM resources available

Changes in social roles

Support to girls

Rwanda

Bolivia

Philippines

Sierra Leone

MHM Research cont.

Solutions to address barriers

9

Photo Credit: WaterAid

Photo Credit: Echwalu Photography

Photo Credit: WaterAid/Poulomi Basu

MHM in WASH in Schools Virtual Conferences

10

Handbooks and learning

resources

WASH infrastructure

Gender norms around

menstruation

Integration into national

policies

MHM Operational Guidelines

11

Photo Credit: Dr. Anubha Dhal

Photo Credit: Jeevika Trust

WASH and MHM Resource Guide

12

Get Involved!

• MHM in DC Coalition – Sarah Fry: [email protected]

• WASH in Schools Partnership – www.unicef.org/WASH/schools – Yodit Sheido: [email protected] – Murat Sahin: [email protected]

• Menstrual Hygiene Day – www.menstrualhygieneday.org – [email protected] – Facebook: Menstrual Hygiene Day – Global – Twitter: #MenstruationMatters – Secretariat: [email protected]

13