Schools ensuring education on menstrual health along with adequate hygiene facilities is key for health and equal learning opportunities

On Menstrual Hygiene Day, celebrated on 28 May, WHO/Europe calls on countries to provide adequate water and sanitation services in schools, including better menstrual hygiene facilities and menstrual health education. These are crucial school interventions that are fundamental to health, well-being and dignity, as well as ensuring gender equity and equal learning opportunities.

Poor menstrual hygiene can lead to urinary or reproductive tract infections and affect the well-being of students. Girls may avoid attending school during their period due to fear of bullying and inadequate toilet facilities. In many countries of the WHO European Region, lack of privacy and inadequate toilet doors or cubicles pose a challenge to girls during their period. The lack of affordable menstrual products can also be a problem.

The challenge of menstrual product costs and access to information

Despite the increasing awareness of the importance of menstrual health, the availability of data on conditions and barriers is still a challenge in the European Region. New data collected by the nongovernmental organization WASH United showed that every third woman and every second man in Germany received initial information on menstruation at school. Although the cost of menstrual products fell after the reduction in value-added tax in Germany, the youngest age group surveyed (16-24 years old) said that spending on those products represents a financial burden for them. A survey conducted by the children's charity Plan International UK in 2017 showed that 1 in 10 girls in the United Kingdom could not afford menstrual hygiene products, which affected their school attendance. The country has taken measures to make these products more available and affordable.

WHO/Europe supports countries in ensuring equitable access to timely education and hygienic conditions for menstrual health, with a special focus on schools and health-care facilities, where the most vulnerable groups are found. Through tools for surveillance and workshops, WHO/Europe provides support to assess the problem and build the capacity to strengthen WASH in schools, accelerate water and sanitation improvements, and promote policies to ensure safe, hygienic and dignified menstruation.

In June 2022 WHO called for menstrual health to be recognized, framed and addressed as a health and human rights issue during the 50th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council discussion on menstrual hygiene management, human rights and gender equality. WHO said that it was essential to recognize that menstrual health means access to information and education about it, menstrual products, as well as water and sanitation and disposal facilities, among other things.

Ministries of health and environment of the European Region will gather on 5-7 July in Budapest for the 7th Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health, where they will agree on actions to reshape national and regional policies in these areas. In the context of water and sanitation, and building upon the agreements from the Sixth session of the Meeting of the Parties, authorities will consider establishing policies that promote menstrual health and access to affordable means for menstrual hygiene.

So this year, as every year, let us use Menstrual Hygiene Day as an opportunity to promote menstrual health and hygiene for all women and girls everywhere.