page_title: Menstrual Hygiene Day
section_title: Background
hierarchical_section_title: Menstrual Hygiene Day / Background
caption_attribution_description: English: WaterforPeople Uganda celebration of Menstrual Hygiene Day in 2014
context_page_description: Menstrual Hygiene Day is an annual awareness day on May 28 to highlight the importance of good menstrual hygiene management. It was initiated by the German-based NGO WASH United in 2014.
  In low-income countries, the choices of menstrual hygiene materials are often limited by the costs, availability and social norms. Adequate sanitation facilities and access to feminine hygiene products are one part of the solution. Creating a culture that welcomes discussion and makes adequate education for women and girls is of equal importance. Research has found that not having access to menstrual hygiene management products can keep girls home from school during their period each month.
  Menstrual Hygiene Day creates an occasion for publicizing information in the media, including social media. Public information campaigns can help to engage decision-makers in policy dialogue. The day offers an opportunity to actively advocate for the integration of menstrual hygiene management into global, national and local policies and programmes.
context_section_description: Menstrual hygiene management can be particularly challenging for females in developing countries, where clean water and toilet facilities are often inadequate. In addition, traditional cultures make it difficult to discuss menstruation openly. This limits access to relevant and important information about the normal functions of the female body. This directly affects their health, education and dignity.  Access to information can be considered a human right.
caption: Celebration of Menstrual Hygiene Day in Uganda
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