International Menstrual Decency Day 2025: Eliminating Taboo, Guaranteeing Availability for All
World Menstrual Hygiene Day 2025: Advocating for a #PeriodFriendlyWorld
World Menstrual Hygiene Day, celebrated annually on May 28, is a global movement aimed at promoting menstrual health and hygiene as a fundamental right. This year's theme, "Together for a #PeriodFriendlyWorld", emphasizes the collective effort needed to erase stigma, improve access to resources, and foster open conversations about menstruation.
The day highlights the importance of proper menstrual hygiene management (MHM), stressing that poor MHM can lead to serious infections and social exclusion. Key objectives include breaking the silence and negative social norms around menstruation, promoting MHM education, and ensuring universal access to menstrual products and supportive supplies.
A #PeriodFriendlyWorld is envisioned as one where no one feels ashamed or held back by their period. This world would see schools and workplaces providing free sanitary products, and policies prioritizing menstrual health. Advocates, influencers, and everyday people are sharing stories, facts, and campaigns using hashtags like #PeriodFriendlyWorld, #MHDay2025, and #EndPeriodPoverty.
The day also aims to eliminate period poverty, a term used to describe the lack of access to menstrual products, education, and infrastructure. This includes tackling underlying socio-economic factors through education, empowerment, and sustainable solutions beyond just providing products.
Governments and health organizations are pushing for policies that improve menstrual hygiene education and access. This includes incorporating menstrual health education in school curricula, removing taxation on menstrual products, and expanding access to free sanitary products in public spaces.
NGOs and activists are distributing free sanitary pads, tampons, and menstrual cups to underserved communities. They are also advocating for the elimination of tampon/pad taxes, government-funded menstrual programs, and free menstrual products in schools, workplaces, and public spaces.
Menstrual Hygiene Day serves as an important occasion to normalize conversations around menstruation, promote menstrual health education, advocate for access to affordable menstrual products, improve sanitation and disposal infrastructure, and empower individuals to manage their periods with dignity.
By fostering awareness and policy changes, Menstrual Hygiene Day contributes to a future where menstrual health is recognized as a basic human right. Organizations host educational workshops, seminars, and discussions on menstrual health. The day is celebrated to create a world where menstruation is not a barrier to education, employment, or dignity.
World Menstrual Hygiene Day 2025 unites global efforts to create a period-friendly world where menstruation is normalized, supported with adequate products, infrastructure, education, and political will—aiming to empower all who menstruate to manage their periods safely and with dignity.
References
[1] Menstrual Hygiene Day. (n.d.). About Menstrual Hygiene Day. Retrieved from https://www.menstrualhygieneday.org/about/
[2] UN Women. (2021). Menstrual Hygiene Management. Retrieved from https://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/policy-analysis/topics/health/menstrual-hygiene-management
[3] WaterAid. (2020). Menstrual Hygiene Management. Retrieved from https://www.wateraid.org/uk/what-we-do/our-work-in-countries/menstrual-hygiene-management
[4] Plan International. (2020). Menstrual Hygiene Management. Retrieved from https://www.plan-international.org/what-we-do/our-work/girls-rights/menstrual-hygiene-management
[5] Amnesty International. (2019). Menstrual Hygiene in Prisons. Retrieved from https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/campaigns/2019/05/menstrual-hygiene-in-prisons/
- Science plays a crucial role in improving women's health and addressing menstrual health challenges by creating effective, safe, and affordable menstrual products and advancing menstrual hygiene management (MHM) education.
- Health-and-wellness initiatives seeking to uplift the quality of life for all, can strategically focus on women's health concerns, such as menstrual health, by supporting research, promoting MHM, and advocating for legislation that prioritizes access to menstrual products and resources.
