Menstrual health education is an essential component of comprehensive sexuality education and underscore the importance of providing girls, women and...
News
A year of great progress for menstrual health in Africa
The year 2021 saw menstrual health (MH) taking its rightful place at the centre of the development and humanitarian agendas....
Report of the Africa Symposium on Improving Menstrual Health Management
The African Coalition for Menstrual Health Management and UNFPA East and Southern Africa Regional Office, in partnership with other partners,...
My First Period by Anisie Byukusenge
A moving poem by Anisie Byukusenge, a visually impaired young woman.
The Ark by KrTC
Eswatini artist KrTC of Hip Hop delivers a spoken word poem on the myths and taboos around menstruation.
Menstrual Health Champion by King Kaka
Kenyan rapper, entrepreneur and philanthropist King Kaka describes an initiative, the Sanitary Pad Charity campaign, to empower women, girls and...
We Paint in Red by Zuhura
A beautiful spoken word performance by Zuhura, the African Lioness, a poet from Tanzania, on the power of menstruation.
I Am Changing by Mijori
Singer-songwriter and spoken word artist, Mijori, sings a powerful anthem to becoming a woman.
Engaging men and boys to end period stigma
“I am a guy so I don’t get periods, but I have partners and we’ve talked about them.” It is...
Ending period stigma begins at home
“I talk about periods with my family and my partner.” Periods are nothing to hide or be ashamed of. Quality...
Comprehensive Sexuality Education as a catalyst for period power
“A friend of mine started in primary school and she didn’t know a thing about it.” Comprehensive sexuality education...
Unlocking menstrual health and SRHR information
“The fact that you don’t have information means that you should get it from somewhere.” It is critical that girls...
Symposium exposes urgent need to improve menstrual health in Africa
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, 3 June 2021 — The Africa Coalition Symposium on Menstrual Health saw the renewal of commitment to further...
Video: Africa Coalition Menstrual Health Symposium 2021 | Day 1
The Africa Coalition Menstrual Health Symposium 2021 began with a high level opening ceremony that highlighted the importance of addressing...
Video: Africa Coalition Menstrual Health Symposium 2021 | Day 2
Day two of the Africa Coalition Menstrual Health Symposium 2021 features a two-part high level plenary session which explored the...
Video: Africa Coalition Menstrual Health Symposium 2021 | Day 3
Day three of the Africa Coalition Menstrual Health Symposium 2021 began with a high level plenary session which explored how...
The Africa Coalition Call to Action
Time to Act! Period! The Africa Coalition Call to Action as recited at the Menstrual Health Symposium on Friday 27 May 2021.
Mozambique, Angola help girls manage menstrual health and hygiene in crises and beyond
MAPUTO, Mozambique/LUANDA, Angola – It can be challenging enough when a girl gets her first period – she may not even know...
Technical Brief: The Integration of Menstrual Health into Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Policies and Programmes
This two-part technical brief provides guidance on how to strengthen and operationalize the integration of MH in SRHR policies and programmes at global, regional, and national levels.
Supporting the dignity of menstruating women and girls displaced by conflict in Mozambique
PEMBA, Mozambique—The day that the violent conflict began in Palma on March 24, Rosina* left her home and fled into...
Menstrual Health in Africa: Update of the 2018 Rapid Review and Stocktaking Abstract
In May 2018, the UNFPA East and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO) convened the inaugural East and Southern Africa Menstrual...
Menstrual Health Symposium 2021
Around 5000 participants from Africa and worldwide are expected to gather to track progress on menstrual health on the continent...
Periods do not stop for pandemics
EENHANA, Namibia – “I wish the distribution of free pads could be given more attention, like the distribution of free...
Youth helping youth during the pandemic
Juba, South Sudan – The restrictions in movement and closure of schools due to the COVID-19 pandemic have negatively affected...
Managing menstruation amid a cyclone and a pandemic
Adapted from stories provided by Plan International The Buzi district was one of the areas most affected by Cyclone Idai...
Safeguarding the menstrual health of adolescent girls affected by the rising waters of Kenya’s rift valley lakes
In 2020 more than 1,000 homesteads located around Lakes Baringo and Bogoria in Baringo County were affected by flooding caused...
Menstruation and human rights – Frequently asked questions
How is menstruation related to human rights? When does menstruation start? What are common myths and taboos about menstruation? What...
How girls in informal settlements are coping with menstrual health during South Africa’s COVID-19 lockdown
CAPE TOWN, South Africa—When environmentalist Xoli Fuyani saw a need for girl-focused support at schools on the Cape Flats in...
A place of hope: mentoring girls in Kibera informal settlement through the COVID-19 lockdown
NAIROBI, Kenya—“I slept in the toilet for three days because my mother chased me out of the house,” says Julie...
Symposium to take stock of progress on menstrual health in Africa
Around 5000 participants from Africa and worldwide are expected to gather to track progress on menstrual health on the continent...
Innovative Smart Bag redefines menstruation management for refugee girls in Uganda
KYAKA II REFUGEE SETTLEMENT/KAMPALA, Uganda—In Uganda, menstruation management presents a daunting challenge for so many adolescent girls and women. The...
Save The Date: Africa Coalition Symposium on Menstrual Health
The African Coalition on Menstrual Health Management (ACMHM) and UNFPA East and Southern Africa invites you to the Africa Coalition...
WEBINAR REPORT: Advancing Menstrual Equity at the Systemic Level Through Policy Shifts and Standards
This webinar highlight paper was informed by lessons from various sources, specifically from the virtual webinar organized by Days for Girls, The African Coalition for Menstrual Health Management, and UNFPA East and Southern Africa Regional Office.
AMAZE VIDEO: Recommended Period Hygiene
Pads, tampons, cups...period!
AMAZE takes the awkward out of sex ed. Real info in fun, animated videos that give you all the answers you actually want to know about sex, your body and relationships.
Regional Comprehensive Sexuality Education Resource Package for Out of School Young People
The Regional Comprehensive Sexuality Education Resource Package for Out of School Young People was developed to age and developmentally relevant international standards as a comprehensive set of teaching and learning materials for flexible use in settings outside the formal classrooms of the education sector.
AMAZE VIDEO: Menstruation, What to Expect
AMAZE takes the awkward out of sex ed. Real info in fun, animated videos that give you all the answers you actually want to know about sex, your body and relationships.
REPORT: African Coalition for MHM Feedback and Membership Survey
In the past year we have attained some successes including policy advocacy, leadership in the development of product standards, knowledge sharing and collaborative partnerships for MHM, among others.
REPORT: African Coalition for Menstrual Health Management (ACMHM) 2020 Leadership Meeting
The leadership team held its 2020 annual meeting at Birchwood hotel in Johannesburg, South Africa from 17 – 18 February 2020.
WEBINAR HIGHLIGHTS: Menstrual Health Responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic in Africa – What have we learnt?
In this Decade of Action, the dialogue brought all menstrual health stakeholders to review issues, challenges and opportunities amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in Africa.
POSITION PAPER: Menstrual Health Management Lessons Learnt from COVID-19
This position paper was informed by lessons from various sources, specifically from the virtual dialogue organized by UNFPA, Days for Girls and the Menstrual Health Responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic in Africa - What Have We Learnt?.
Women and Girls Africa Summit 2020
Now a Virtual Summit, 16 – 18 November, 2020 More information here
Guidance on Monitoring Menstrual Health and Hygiene
We are proud to share this new Guidance on Monitoring Menstrual Health and Hygiene by UNICEF, which we contributed to. ...
Research Updates
Winkler et al., 2020: The Politics, Promises, and Perils of Data: Evidence-Driven Policy and Practice for Menstrual Health. The scholars...
First East and Southern Africa Regional Symposium on Improving Menstrual Health Management for Adolescent Girls and Women
UNFPA East and Southern Africa Regional Office and the Department of Women in the Presidency of the Republic of South...