To offer context, this day is recognised globally, for advocacy purposes. The intention is to counter taboos on myths ,in an effort to combat period stigma and menstrual shame. It’s also a day to advocate for menstrual hygiene and raise awareness on menstrual hygiene management. The accepted definition for menstrual hygiene management is, “women and adolescent girls using a clean menstrual management material 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 hygiene management materials.”
The process of menstruation, as may be known by some, creates a need for the availability of material resources to collect the blood, ensure the hygiene and do away with the waste with as much privacy as possible. The reason for the emphasis on menstrual hygiene management, is because people who menstruate, who live in low income settings may not have the necessary access to, or awareness of hygienic practices, and likely lack the appropriate material for the absorption of the blood.
