This archive report was first published on 23 May 2020.
May 28 marks the annual Menstrual Hygiene Day, a day to highlight the importance of good menstrual hygiene management (MHM) worldwide. This year, the day comes at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted every aspect of life, leaving women and girls who desperately need menstrual products pleading for what should be a right - access to quality menstrual products.
For centuries, menstruation has been labelled a 'women's issue', a label that stems from the patriarchal lens that devalues women's bodies. As a result, menstruation has become stigmatised as shameful and dirty, even though it is central to women's health and well-being.
Despite the fact that half the population menstruates with varying complications and negative side effects, the commitment of leaders towards comprehensively addressing period poverty is yet to be prioritised. In Kenya, some progress was made in 2019 towards the approval of a National Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) Policy, aimed at scaling up the management of menstrual hygiene, highlighting it as a rights issue.
However, its contents and implementation are yet to be seen. What is worrying is that periods do not pause for pandemics, and as COVID-19 continues to disrupt every construct of life, women and girls who desperately need menstrual products are left pleading for what should be a right - access to quality menstrual products.
Sanitary pads are essential items that must be included in the current interventions being implemented in managing COVID-19. Another key part of this policy must be hygiene, with clean water being indispensable now more than ever. Its consistent supply and access not only helps in reducing coronavirus spread but also ensures overall body cleanliness during menstruation.
On this annual menstrual hygiene day, our leaders are reminded that prioritising the implementation of menstrual hygiene and management policies means prioritising half of the population's health.
