Breaking the Silence: The Psychology of Menstruation Among African Girls
Alu Mary OJima To promote a #PeriodFriendlyWorld for Menstrual Hygiene Day 2026, Alu Mary Ojima reflects on how the silence surrounding menstruation begins in childhood and continues to shape confidence, relationships, education, and participation in society. Through personal reflection and social commentary, she explores the psychological impact of stigma, the consequences of exclusionary norms, and […]
The Cost of Silence: Financing Menstrual Health in East and Southern Africa- Reflections from Zambia and Uganda
As we observe Menstrual Hygiene Day 2026, we reaffirm that menstrual health is a foundational pillar of human rights, dignity, and public health. While we are proud of growing policy interest and efforts to transform the global conversation, menstruation remains predominantly framed as a hygiene issue for adolescent girls in schools not as a cross-cutting […]
From Doha to Geneva: Why Youth Leadership Must Shape Sustainable Development
Tallulah Glancy, Youth Council, Menstrual Rights Global This week, as the global health community convenes for the 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva, discussions around health financing, pandemic preparedness, equity and multilateral cooperation are once again at the centre of international diplomacy. WHA79 arrives at a moment of increasing geopolitical tension, constrained development financing and […]
The Girl I Am, The Change I Lead: Why Menstrual Justice Is Central to Peace and Power
The International Day of the Girl, observed every year on October 11, is more than a commemoration; it is a collective affirmation of girls’ rights, resilience, and leadership. Around the world, girls continue to confront systemic barriers including restricted education, limited access to health care, gender-based violence, and exclusion from decision-making spaces. Yet, despite these […]
Voting for Change: SRHR and the 2024 U.S. Election
Lorena Banda, Board Member, Menstrual Rights Global,USA Dr Jennifer Martin, CEO, Menstrual Rights Global, Scotland Dr Noelle Elizabeth Spencer, Menstrual Rights Global, USA In 2024, we will mark 30 years since the International Conference on Population Development in Cairo. Yet, globally, the pushback on to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) are growing; anti-rights […]
Crimson Revolution: A New Dawn on Youth Menstrual Health Advocacy
In October 2023, Pandemic Periods Global Youth Counil, the Youth Coalition and Fos Feminista celebrated the Global Forum for Adolscents by convening youth menstrual health leaders from across the globe. It was not just another online meeting; it was a global get-together, filled with a shared sense of purpose; to elevate the advocacy efforts of […]
‘Levelling Up’ Efforts for Menstrual Health.
In 2024, Pandemic Periods will focus on ‘Levelling Up. Levelling Up means creating opportunities for everyone across our movement, and for menstrual health to be integrated into global agendas, policies, and constitutions. 2024 is a poignant year for sexual and reproductive health, rights, and bodily autonomy, with the 30-Year Review of the Implementation of the […]
Menstrual Equity is the gateway to SRHR, Human Rights, and Health for All!
Menstrual health is central to achieving universal health coverage (UHC), and is an integral part of attaining several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 1: No Poverty, SDG 3: Enhancing Health and Well-being, SDG 5: Gender Equality, SGD 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, SDG 12: Sustainable Consumption and […]
A Global Call For Action To Eliminate Gender-Based Violence
Gender-based violence is a pervasive and deeply rooted issue that affects individuals across the globe, irrespective of their age, race, socioeconomic status, or nationality. Globally, an estimated 736 million women—almost one in three—have been subjected to physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence, non-partner sexual violence, or both at least once in their lives (30 per […]
Climate Change and Menstrual Health Unearthing an Unseen Connection
As we approach the 2023 UN Climate Change Conference in Dubai, we must elevate the challenges that the climate crisis will have on women, adolescent girls, and people who menstruate. The climate crisis is not “gender neutral”. Women and girls experience the impacts of climate change the greatest, which exacerbates existing gender inequalities and poses unique threats […]