There are multiple emerging platforms for action, advocacy, and knowledge-sharing around MHM including global advocacy days such as Menstrual Hygiene Day, discussions regarding a MHM in Ten strategy to lay out priorities for the next 10 years, the WASH in Schools Partnership which includes MHM as a key priority, and the post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals conversation. Many organizations are developing guidance, tools, and other resources for those interested in effective ways to implement MHM in Schools. Sample resources include operational guidelines from Save the Children, virtual conferences held by UNICEF and Columbia University, and a recent study on MHM with school-based recommendations for action by UNICEF and Emory University.

1. Global Conversations and
Resources for MHM in Schools
Jordan Teague, MPH
Associate Director for WASH Integration
WASH Advocates
Comparative International Education Society Conference 2015
Washington, DC
March 9, 2015

2. WASH in Schools Partnership
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Photo Credit: Plan Canada Credit: WaterAid/Mustafah Abdulaziz
Daily group handwashing
Post-2015 development agenda
WASH in schools evidence base
MHM in schools

3. Menstrual Hygiene Day:
• Facilitates coordination across sectors (WASH, reproductive health,
education, social business, academia, etc.)
• Helps define awareness themes and messages, creating a unified voice
around the world
• Breaks the silence by confronting taboos around menstruation
• Promotes the work of partner and encourages events /celebrations
around the world
• Drives global and national-level advocacy around MHM
Menstrual Hygiene Day (May 28) is an open, global
platform that promotes advocacy and awareness
around the importance of good MHM.

4. Menstrual Hygiene Day 2014
• Theme: ‘‘Let‘s end the hesitation around menstruation!‘‘
• + 215 global partners
• Strong partner coaltions formed in Kenya, Uganda, India, Nepal, US
• Planned ready-to-go POP UP Exhibition Toolkit for partners to raise awareness available
mid-March 2015 available on www.menstrualhygieneday.org
• Theme: ‘‘Let‘s start the conversation about menstruation!‘‘
• + 150 global partners, + 53 events in 39 countries
• Media coverage in The Guardian, Mashable, Huffington Post
• Involvement of gov‘t officials from Kenya, Uganda, US, India, Nepal, Nigeria
• Distribution of IEC materials including factsheets, infographic, conversation guides, etc.
Menstrual Hygiene Day 2015

5. MHM in Post-2015
Sustainable
Development
Goals (SDGs)
Target 6.2: special
attention to the
needs of women
and girls
WHO/UNICEF
Joint Monitoring
Programme (JMP)
Menstrual
hygiene
indicators
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6. MHM in Ten
“Girls in 2024 around
the world are
knowledgeable about
and comfortable with
their menstruation, and
able to manage their
menses in school in a
comfortable, safe and
dignified way.”
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7. MHM in Ten cont.
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Priority 1: Strong cross-sectoral evidence base
Priority 2: Global guidelines for MHM in schools
Priority 3: Comprehensive, evidence-based advocacy platform
Priority 4: National governments allocate responsibility for MHM in schools
Priority 5: Integrate MHM into education systems

8. MHM Research
MHM Barriers to Girls’ Education
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Public policy
Cultural beliefs
School WASH facilities
MHM resources available
Changes in social roles
Support to girls
Rwanda
Bolivia
Philippines
Sierra
Leone

9. MHM Research cont.
Solutions to address barriers
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Photo Credit: WaterAid
Photo Credit: Echwalu Photography
Photo Credit: WaterAid/Poulomi Basu

10. MHM in WASH in Schools
Virtual Conferences
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Handbooks
and learning
resources
WASH
infrastructure
Gender norms
around
menstruation
Integration
into national
policies

11. MHM Operational Guidelines
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Photo Credit: Dr. Anubha Dhal
Photo Credit: Jeevika Trust

12. WASH and MHM Resource Guide
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13. Get Involved!
• MHM in DC Coalition
– Sarah Fry: sfry@fhi360.org
• WASH in Schools Partnership
– www.unicef.org/WASH/schools
– Yodit Sheido: ysheido@unicef.org
– Murat Sahin: msahin@unicef.org
• Menstrual Hygiene Day
– www.menstrualhygieneday.org
– info@menstrualhygieneday.org
– Facebook: Menstrual Hygiene Day – Global
– Twitter: #MenstruationMatters
– Secretariat: hq@wash-united.org
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