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
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
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.
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
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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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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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
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
MHM Research cont.
Solutions to address barriers
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Photo Credit: WaterAid
Photo Credit: Echwalu Photography
Photo Credit: WaterAid/Poulomi Basu
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
MHM Operational Guidelines
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Photo Credit: Dr. Anubha Dhal
Photo Credit: Jeevika Trust
WASH and MHM Resource Guide
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Get Involved!
• MHM in DC Coalition – Sarah Fry: [email protected]
• WASH in Schools Partnership – www.unicef.org/WASH/schools – Yodit Sheido: [email protected] – Murat Sahin: [email protected]
• Menstrual Hygiene Day – www.menstrualhygieneday.org – [email protected] – Facebook: Menstrual Hygiene Day – Global – Twitter: #MenstruationMatters – Secretariat: [email protected]
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