Op-Ed: Why dignified menstruation matters?

"reproductive health rights are human rights"

individual

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INTERPERSONAL : SCIENCES

humanistic ----------------------------------------------- mechanistic

SOCIOLOGY : POLITICAL

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group - population

self self-esteem  self-respect dignity FEMINITY awareness ignorance concepts personal beliefs  anxiety fear stress vulnerability  risk mental health trauma - abuse impact on education self-care self-efficacy health literacy  psychological privacy (this is my period - not my shame ...)

A matter of  human biology:  anatomy & physiology globally? Bangladesh, Nepal, India, other low and middle income countries  in South Asia menstruation, menstrual period adolescence, women of reproductive age wrong information life threatening ... menstrual hygiene  menstrual health management disaster response natural disaster, floods, cyclones, conflict, refugees cyclone shelters lighting physical security  physical access to toilets traditional materials - cloth physical privacy

even if it's yours? intergenerational factors... "When I was a girl..." Women's menstruation menstrual period  cultural and social beliefs Health literacy Health promotion negligence and whisper womanhood: dignity and respect public discussion  stereotype, ideas, taboos, stigma shame age old superstitions  life threatening harmful practices imposed to them by the family members, neighbours and the community [ Community care?! ] positive role models positive support of husbands and families social privacy

Human Rights Declaration United Nations in 1948 'dignified menstruation' UN Water water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) Disaster relief: 1. Male perspective; 2. Cultural taboo; 3. Menstrual health not in plans? power control  budgetary planning Public Health Policy Toilet facilities Provision of toilets Toilet-sewage infrastructure political privacy (do not compromise my privacy  by compromising my rights)

"All the stakeholders should explore all-inclusive 

and 

most comprehensive integrated approach 

to ensure dignified menstruation."

The Daily Observer, Why dignified menstruation matters? by PARVEZ BABUL

My source: HIFA

... and previously on W2tQ

#FreePeriods - Period Poverty (Schools opt-in January 2020)

INDIVIDUAL

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INTER-PERSONAL : SCIENCES

HUMANISTIC -------------------------------------------------- MECHANISTIC

SOCIOLOGY : POLITICAL

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GROUP

understanding awareness access	PERIOD
The RED box project Schools - must opt-in	POVERTY government funding

BBC Radio 4: 5 December 2019 [ from 20 mins...]

"After a long campaign from #FreePeriods, the Government agreed to fund a scheme to ensure all primary and secondary schools and colleges provided free period products to menstruating pupils. This was meant to start rolling out in September 2019 but has now been pushed back to January 2020. It is an opt-in scheme and so schools and colleges must sign up to receive free sanitary products. Gemma Abbott is a campaigner for FreePeriods and volunteer from the charity The Red Box Project, and Nadia Collier is a family support worker at a primary school in London, who has first-hand experience of how important these free period products can be."

Updated - Additional resource c/o RCN publications:

Promoting Menstrual Wellbeing

Publication Code : 007 856

"Menstruation is both a physiological and psychological milestone in a woman’s life. This publication has been developed to help nurses break down the stigma that can be associated with what is a completely natural process. It is important to use appropriate and flexible communication methods to ensure information on the menstrual cycle is delivered in an accessible format for women. This publication has a supporting promotional flyer (007 857) and both resources are supported by Hologic’s Wear White Again campaign."