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Challenges of Menstrual Hygiene Management in Schools

This presentation explores the global and national context of poor menstrual hygiene management (MHM) in schools, critical issues in the WASH sector, and UNICEF's response through the WinS4Girls project. It discusses key strategies and expected benefits of better menstrual management for women and adolescent girls. The presentation will also address myths and cultural challenges associated with MHM.

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Challenges of Menstrual Hygiene Management in Schools

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  1. Presentation on: Challenges of Poor Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) in Schools MHM Forum Thursday, January 28, 2016, Accra

  2. Outline • Context • Global • National • Critical MHM issues to the WASH sector • UNICEF’s Response through the WinS4Girls project • Overview • Key Strategies/Activities • Expected Benefits

  3. Menstrual Management • Women and adolescent girls using a clean menstrual management material to absorb or collect blood that can be changed in privacy as often ads necessary for the duration of the menstruation period, using soap and water for washing the body as required, and having access to facilities to dispose of used menstrual management materials (UNICEF and WHO, 2014)

  4. Global Context • UN Resolution A/RES/44/25 • Convention on the Rights of the Child • UN Resolution A/RES/64/292 • Human Rights to Water and Sanitation • Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) is a global emerging issue • Annual Virtual Conference on MHM • 4th edition took place last October • Establishment of Menstrual Hygiene Day (MHD) • Observed on the 28th of May every year • 2016 would be the 3rd in a series

  5. Global … • A UNICEF study showed that 1 out of 3 girls in South Asia knew nothing about menstruation before it happened (WaterAid, 2013) • 48% of girls in Iran and 10% of girls in India believe menstruation is a disease (WaterAid, 2013) • Use of crude methods such as mud, leaves, dung and animal skins to manage menstrual flow exist in some contexts (UNESCO, 2013)

  6. Global … Some Documented Myths: • ‘Unclean and impure, please do not enter the temple’ • ‘Talking about menstruation scares the child even more’ • ‘Stay away and don’t go out – menstruating women contaminate the surroundings’ • ‘Normal blood good; menstrual blood bad’ (Gopalakrishnan, 2015)

  7. National Context • In Ghana MHM is a verbal taboo – based on cultural and religious beliefs, norms and myths • Up to 59% and 90% of girls felt shame in urban and peri-urban/rural respectively (WaterAid, 2012) • Low girls’ school attendance, particularly in JHS: • 95% of girls sometimes miss school days during menstruation (WaterAid, 2012) • Further perpetuation of gender inequality

  8. Critical Issues to the WASH Sector • Low and declining WASH coverage for basic schools according to EMIS

  9. Critical Issues to the WASH Sector • Girls miss up to 5 days a month of school days due to inadequate sanitationfacilities, lack of sanitary products at school and feeling of discomfort, e.g. cramps (Montgomery et al., Sanitary Pad Interventions for Girls’ Education in Ghana, 2012) • Further putting girls in a disadvantaged position

  10. UNICEF’s Response through the WinS4Girls Project • WinS4Girls: WASH in Schools for Girls • Overview: • 2-year project : Nov. 2014 – Sep. 2016 • Supported by Canada • 14 participating countries (including Ghana) • Location in Ghana – North Dayi district in the VR and Zabzugu district in the NR • Objective: • To strengthen evidenced-based advocacy and action on MHM in Ghana through the UNICEF-supported WASH in Schools, leading to a more supportive school environment that is ready for girls.

  11. WinS4Girls Project…… • Key Strategies/Activities: • Mobilizing local academia, Civil Society Organisations, Ministry of Education and other relevant partners • Conducting research and disseminating report • Reviewing WinS guidelines to incorporate gender sensitive MHM into existing national WinS programme • Developing and disseminating MHM basic tools • Training (capacity building at various levels)

  12. WinS4Girls Project…… • Expected Benefits: • Provide the WASH sector a credible document for MHM programming in the country • Contribute to increase in girls’ school attendance and retention rate • Ensure realization of child rights and gender equality (UN Resolution A/RES/64/292) • Every extra year of a woman’s schooling reduces the probability of infant mortality by 5 – 10% (UNESCO, 2011)

  13. Our ideal situation

  14. Group Activity • Form 4 groups • Select a leader, scribe and /or presenter • Discuss: • What are the lesser known and untold of poor menstrual in basic schools and home environment? – All Groups. • How can basic schools be made friendlier to menstruation of girls. – group 1 • How can communities & traditional leaders make the community friendlier to girls during menstruation.– Group 2 • How can the home and family setting be made friendlier to girls during menstruation. - Group 3 • How can religious leaders help girls manage menstruation effectively. - Group 4

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