May 28 will be Menstrual Hygiene Day, an annual awareness to emphasise the importance of good menstrual hygiene management at a global level. Menstrual hygiene is indispensable for women and girls and if not properly managed, it can result in infections. There is no doubt that girls and women in rural areas are more susceptible to poor menstrual hygiene because sanitary pads are not affordable for many of them and those that can access some, don’t have the luxury of changing them often which risks their health. ALSO READ: Period poverty: Activists on improving access to menstrual hygiene services and products When girls and women have access to safe and affordable sanitary materials to manage their menstruation, they lessen their risk of infections. Period poverty affects women, girls, and people who menstruate not only in Rwanda but all over the world. Although there are efforts in place to distribute affordable menstrual items to vulnerable women and girls, and the establishment of girls’ rooms equipped with sanitary pads, towels, painkillers, a bed, water, and soap among other hygiene tools in schools, there are still gaps limiting the access to menstrual products, safe, hygienic spaces in which to use them, and the right to manage menstruation without shame or stigma. ALSO READ: Breaking the silence: Menstrual health and hygiene as a catalyst for gender equality During an event organised by Kosmotive (a manufacturing company of eco-friendly sanitary pads in Rwanda) on May 21, to raise awareness of menstrual hygiene, and curb stigma around it, Emelyne Kaneza, the Executive Secretary of Rwanda Women’s Network stressed that menstruation is still viewed as an embarrassment and taboo in the country, thus calling upon men to render support instead of ridiculing women. During a panel discussion, she highlighted the need to educate men and boys about menstruation, rather than looking on and embarrassing women when they have stained their clothes but rather providing them with any assistance necessary. ALSO READ: Call for efforts to break menstrual hygiene taboos Elvis Benimana, the Community Health Advisor at Health Development Initiative Rwanda (HDI) notes that men should get involved and understand that periods are more of a biological problem, not a perception. “We should increase awareness on menstruation as it is a transition of women and a stage to allow them to bear children and shun stigma and gender stereotypes linked to limiting them from getting opportunities like jobs,” he said. Benimana mentioned the essence of adopting mechanisms that can support women in workplaces to have menstrual items and a hygienic environment to use them. Christian Intwari, the founder of ‘Our Past’, a youth-led initiative that aims to educate young people about the Genocide against the Tutsi, called upon the public to put into practice conversations held or shared on social media platform X, to end period poverty and stigma. “We ought to go to rural areas and teach girls and young women about their rights and bodies, and most importantly, build sustainable projects. For example, are the girls’ rooms still serving their purposes or have been turned into stores? We should be able to trace the progress of different projects,” he stated. Julian Ingabire Kayibanda, a known advocate for menstrual health commended individual efforts in the advocacy and promotion of menstrual health though emphasised the importance of combining efforts but working in silence. Kayibanda also said that there are many condom dispensers in public places, suggesting that the same effort should be considered with free reusable pads in public places. “The issue of menstrual health should be observed holistically, it’s not just about lack of products, but rather more of knowledge, support, and others. Having a sanitary towel without proper hygiene can’t solve the problem but breeds more issues. “Some girls and women can’t access clean toilets, water, and infrastructure during their menses,” Kayibanda said. She highlighted the necessity of educating girls to shower and change their sanitary pads. Kayibanda also noted that although reusable pads are assisting to reduce period poverty, they don’t have quality standards. The event was organised creatively, using poems, music, and drama to convey the message of breaking the stigma around menstruation. Blandine Umuziranenge, the founder and CEO of Kosmotive, urged people in the creative space whether painting, sketching, music, or any other form of art to use their craft to curb menstrual shame stressing that the message can reach different audiences if packaged uniquely. The World Health Organisation (WHO) calls for three actions. Firstly, to recognise and frame menstruation as a health issue, not a hygiene issue – a health issue with physical, psychological, and social dimensions, and one that needs to be addressed in the perspective of a life course – from before menarche to after menopause. Secondly, to recognise that menstrual health means that women and girls and other people who menstruate have access to information and education about it, to the menstrual products they need, like water, sanitation, and disposal facilities to competent and empathic care when needed to live, study and work in an environment in which menstruation is seen as positive and healthy not something to be ashamed of and to fully participate in work and social activities. Thirdly, to ensure that these activities are included in the relevant sectoral work plans and budgets, and their performance is measured.
