Is Menstruation a Human Rights Issue? Menstrual hygiene management (MHM) has been recognized as an overlooked barrier to human rights. This is because a lack of access to basic sanitation during menstruation can hinder a person’s ability to exercise their rights. This lack of access bars many from equally participating in society. This issue may not connect to some in a “developed” country, or, those with secure access to sanitation. But many people in developing countries or in underprivileged situations do find themselves excluded from society and a sense of normalcy. Many girls in developing countries, for example, are forced to stay at home during their periods, meaning they regularly miss school. Worse, some leave school altogether due to a dangerous stigma surrounding menstruation and womanhood. This absenteeism extends into employment where people are cut from meaningful access to work. An example of this can be seen in poor factory conditions of certain countries where some are not able to practice proper menstrual health hygiene or have no access to clean menstrual products. Poor MHM inevitably leads to poor overall health and wellbeing as infections and reduced quality of life become common. For more information: https://www.hrw.org/news/2018/03/22/why-menstrual-hygiene-urgent-human-rights-issue https://consultations.worldbank.org/Data/hub/files/a_vicious_cycle_of_silence_final_version_of_paper_0.pdf *MHDay is an initiative from @menstrualhygieneday
