Approximately
400 million females undergo the menstrual process daily globally. About
three-quarters of the female population are in their reproductive age. They need to get access to sanitary requirements
for their periods, a hygienic environment to safely utilize these
products and having control over their periods without feeling judged. Unfortunately, many people do not have the
chance to live this reality. For example, out of twenty lasses, seven of them
do not have the means of affording sanitary towels during this COVID 19
pandemic.
There are stigmas concerning menstruation in the society that has caused the majority of the females to fear to tend to their regular routines, especially on their period days. These stigmas are as a result of not being educated on menstruation. People need to understand that this is a normal thing and adolescents should not feel ashamed of the changes in their bodies; instead, they need to thirst for more knowledge and develop hygienic skills during this puberty period. The few that get to carry on with their daily activities are incapacitated from obtaining the sanitary products, clean drinking water or lack adequate education on how they can maintain proper menstrual hygiene by using soap and water. This con will end up lowering their self-esteem and later hinder them from achieving their life goals.
Due
to the inadequate knowledge on menstrual education in the society, a German
non-profit education team by the name WASH United was kind enough to launch the
Menstrual Hygiene Day- an exceptional day whose purpose is to educate people
about menses. Here is all you need to be informed about maintaining proper
hygiene during your periods, right from the moment they begin to what is
expected of you at that time.
What does menstrual hygiene day entail?
(MH
Day) Menstrual hygiene day is a national platform that tends to globally unite
the voices of individuals, non-profits, media, as well as private agencies to promote
excellent hygiene management on menstruation for everyone.
Facts to consider during menses.
Ensure
your undergarments are clean and dry before wearing them.
Make sure you change the sanitary towel after every 4 hours to avoid contracting bacteria related disorders.
Dispose
of the used sanitary towels properly.
Always
keep your body clean. (during and after your menses) to avoid body odours.
Always
use unscented soaps when cleaning private parts. (scented soaps tend to alter
with the pH)
When is it celebrated?
MH
day is conducted on the 28th of May every year. The sponsors settled
for this date since an average menstrual cycle takes averagely 28 days. Also,
females averagely have a five-day monthly flow. Therefore, May was the right
month as it is the fifth in the calendar. How thoughtful of these Menstrual
health day organizers as they considered the vital details.
What is the 2020 theme?
The
theme this year is #PeriodsInPandemics.
Mental
health day acknowledges with great concern that periods will never halt as a
result of a crisis at hand. In this case, the corona virus pandemic. The theme
tends to take note of how this crisis is continuing to affect the challenges
female teenagers and adults must be facing during their menses.
It
is quite disheartening for the females as the community centers, schools during
health classes, and other places they used to get information about
menstruation cycles are lock-down in the majority of the countries. Over 2
billion people have been approximated to lack the necessary sanitation
facilities in the undeveloped countries. The women in such states are
encountering challenges affording the products such as tampons and sanitary
towels for their menstrual cycles. Menstrual
health day also observes that health services have been limited; hence women
can no longer frequent health institutions and inquire on their menstrual
issues. These health services are limited to only those who urgently seek
medical attention for fear of the spread of the COVID 19. That is just a
precaution the countries are implementing.
MH day organizers continue to add that this
lockdown as a result of the pandemic has intensified the stigmatization and
taboos in the household. The discomfort has increased every time they receive
their periods as everyone in the home is present. Besides, the charity
distribution of menstrual products in learning institutions are suspended until
schools reopen, and things go back to normal.
What role can you play on the Menstrual health day?
Lots of activities and events have been
scheduled by the Menstrual health day organizers and all its sponsors to make
the day a success. The events range from creating awareness on education about
menstruation in learning as well as health institutions, posters on community noticeboards,
mobile rallies by health specialists on crowded concerts. However, these
planned awareness activities have proven to be difficult due to coronavirus
pandemic. Therefore, all the events will operate virtually. As an individual,
you can help create awareness through social media. I promise this will not
take much of your time.
Try
and come up with thoughtful hashtags such as menstrationhygieneday ,#menstruatioawareness, #SayNotoStigmaduringMenstruation. Also, you can share
your menstrual hygiene routine and promote some positive habits on the same.
This way, we can speak for the voiceless on challenges they are facing during
this pandemic while in their periods.
The
(WAGGGS) world association of girl guides and girl scouts is yet another
association that is creating self menstrual awareness. Females are encouraged
to make themselves beautiful bracelets that comprises of an outstanding red bead
to represent their menstruation process and share their pictures on social
media with friends. This sharing has shown to improve their confidence in their
menstrual health and are now ready to talk about it openly with their friends.
Conclusion
All
women deserve some appreciation during the Menstrual health day. Looking down
on them during this time will only lower their self-esteem. It is essential
that they get educated about healthy menstrual habits they can follow and also
encourage them to talk about it freely.