Menstrual hygiene: the issue, evidence and gaps 31 May, 2018 Dr. - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Menstrual hygiene: the issue, evidence and gaps 31 May, 2018 Dr. - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Menstrual hygiene: the issue, evidence and gaps 31 May, 2018 Dr. Marni Sommer Definition of MHM: Women and adolescent girls are using clean menstrual management materials to absorb or collect blood that can be changed in privacy as often as

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Menstrual hygiene: the issue, evidence and gaps

31 May, 2018

  • Dr. Marni Sommer
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Definition of MHM:

Women and adolescent girls are using clean menstrual management materials to absorb or collect blood that can be changed in privacy as often as necessary for the duration of the menstruation period, using soap and water for washing the body as required, and having access to facilities to dispose of used menstrual management materials.

JMP, 2012

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What is needed for MHM? (the essentials)

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(1) In Information & Support (2) Materials & Supplies (3) Facilities

(toilets with w water, , bathing & laundering/dry rying spaces)

(4) Disposal & Waste Management

Overcoming stigma and restrictions….ensuring safety, comfort and dignity for all.

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What is the current state of MHM globally?

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Silence on MHM being broken… ….leading to action.

Plan International created five potential emojis and asked the public to vote for the winner.

Amid taboos surrounding menstruation, Indians debate period leave: Five countries in the world have an active menstrual-leave law. By Nikita Madhani Law In Nepal Sets Penalties For Forcing A Woman Into A Menstrual Shed

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Ongoing silence… ….and so inaction.

Afghanistan: Breaking Taboos Around Menstruation Women struggle to overcome ignorant attitudes and prejudice.

By Pazhman Pazhohish

TECH & SCIENCE HAVING PERIODS A ‘MAJOR BARRIER’ TO INCLUDING WOMEN IN SPORTS MEDICINE RESEARCH BY ZOË SCHLANGER ON 6/6/16 AT 6:40 PM

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Growing recognition that MHM (a cross-sectoral is issue) can serve as a proxy for meetin ing the Sustainable Develo lopment Goals ls (SDGs)

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17 SDGs - 169 targets

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Global trends: Over the past 5 years…

  • Products! Rapid growth in menstrual products

globally

  • Increased global discourse and advocacy on MHM

(conferences, MH day, websites, ‘period poverty’)

  • Government engagement and policies on MHM

(e.g. Kenya, USA, Zambia)

  • Establishment of the MHM in Ten global agenda,

five key priorities for 2014-2024

  • Improved technical guidance on MHM (e.g.

Menstrual Hygiene Matters, 2012)

Agnes Makanyi, Ministry of Health, Kenya at the Virtual Conference for MHM in Schools (October 2017)

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The Evidence Base: What do we know?

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Rich qualitative evidence base on…

  • MHM challenges facing girls in schools
  • Psychosocial impact of MHM
  • Cultural taboos and stigma around menstruation
  • MHM practices, including types of materials,

washing, learning about menstruation

  • MHM challenges faced by displaced populations
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MHM and Schools

  • 14 country WASH in Schools (WinS4Girls)
  • Multiple trials and evaluations testing various

MHM packages and products (e.g. Cups/Cash in Kenya, MENISCUS in Uganda, M&E of NGO programs)

  • Development of puberty books & MHM

education resources

  • Cross-sectoral engagement

(WASH, Education, Gender, Health)

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Engaging boys & men on MHM

  • Development of boy’s puberty books
  • Small body of evidence (e.g. India, Eritrea)
  • Engaging in MHM emergency response

(infographic)

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Analyzing Education Policies…for inclusion of MHM

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MHM in in Emergencies

  • Existing humanitarian response operations

inadequate in addressing MHM

  • Development of guidance for cross-sectoral

response efforts

  • Defined sectoral roles & strategies for

collaboration

  • Growing (but limited) evidence
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What are the gaps in the evidence?

(1) Barriers beyond schools (2) Measuring intervention impact (effectiveness, , efficiency)

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MHM in t the Workplace: Need to identify fy barriers, impact & solutions

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MHM in peri-urban and urban slums: Need to identify fy barriers, , impact & solutions

Kibera Slum, Nairobi, Kenya

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Measuring MHM in interv rventions

Need for improved measures & more rigorous evaluations

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More specifically:

  • More rigorous quantitative research with validated new

measures (e.g. self-efficacy, classroom engagement)

  • Increased dissemination of learning/case studies about

what works and what doesn’t work for MHM

  • Research that measures a holistic response to MHM

(information, toilets, waste management, etc.)

  • More conclusive evidence on the relationship
  • f MHM and health, social, educational outcomes
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Gaps & Opportunities for building MHM evidence:

  • Female-friendly toilets – how to design and maintain

female-friendly toilets within school, workplace and public settings, and displacement contexts

  • Menstrual waste disposal - Mechanisms for discreet

disposal of menstrual waste & its management

  • Maintenance of menstrual products - Methods for

discreetly washing and drying menstrual materials

  • Male engagement - How best to engage boys and

men in supporting females with MHM?

  • MHM in the workplace, in slums – What are the

challenges faced by female workers, by females living in slums?

Collaborate!

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Essential to keep menstruating girls and women at the center… as the knowers of their own lives.

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The way forward…