A call to end menstruation stigma — period

Like many in the U.S., on May 19th I found myself a bit caught up in the coverage of the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, now the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. But aside from enjoying the dresses, fascinators, and incredible pomp and circumstance, I enjoyed seeing an incredible champion for women and girls continue to use her status and her public profile to draw attention to issues that are often left in the shadows.

One of the guests at the wedding was Suhani Jalota, the founder of the Myna Mahila Foundation in Mumbai, India. The foundation, which Duchess Meghan was introduced to on a trip to India as part of her work as a World Vision Ambassador, works with women in Mumbai’s urban slums to break taboos around menstrual hygiene by offering women access to low-cost sanitary pads and accurate information about menstruation.

{mosads}In a country where an estimated 113 million girls between the ages of 12 and 14 are at risk of dropping out of school due to menstruation, India is a place where education to end stigma and the right resources are critical to long-term development outcomes for women and girls.

But the same is true for millions of girls around the world. Last October, I visited World Vision’s SAGE project in Uganda. Funded by the President’s Plan for Emergency AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), SAGE is a part of the DREAMS initiative to better meet the needs of adolescent girls — giving them tools they need to stay in school, stay HIV-free and understand their reproductive health, including menstruation.

The girls in the program are from rural, poor communities where family income relies on agricultural production. Money for school fees is hard to come by, even harder is money to support buying sanitary pads. So, the girls (and even some boys) are learning how to make reusable sanitary pads that can be made with some cotton, cloth and thread at a very low cost. This simple thing means that the girls don’t have to use ash, newspaper or other harmful materials and more importantly, it means they don’t have to miss or drop out of school whenever they get their period.

Access to dignified supplies and facilities is a significant aspect to menstrual hygiene. Addressing harmful social norms and taboos is equally critical. These norms prevent women and girls from having access to accurate knowledge to even know what menstruation is, let alone manage it effectively. In some parts of Nepal, for instance, women are confined to outdoor sheds during their menstruation.

In January, one story hit international news when a Nepali woman died of smoke inhalation after lighting a fire to keep warm in one of these menstrual huts. Thankfully, this issue is gaining international attention, and a building groundswell of understanding and response will help shift the tide on this critical issue of dignity for women and girls everywhere.

While Duchess Meghan has many new duties and responsibilities, she remains committed to bringing attention to menstrual hygiene, even mentioning it and her visit to Myna Mahila on her official royal biography. As another Menstrual Hygiene Day passes on May 28, I hope Members of Congress will join her in calling attention to this hidden danger that could impact the future of millions of girls.

Lisa Bos is the director of government relations at World Vision U.S., a Christian humanitarian organization that works in nearly 100 countries around the world.