According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NBIC), promoting menstrual hygiene is more than just a sanitation issue, “it is also an important step toward protecting girls’ dignity, bodily integrity, and overall life opportunities.”
A lack of access to clean menstrual products and bad sanitation harm the education, health, and social status of women and girls worldwide. Lack of education, ongoing taboos, and stigma are all factors in poor menstrual hygiene.
In Ethiopia, NBIC found that “girls’ inability to manage their menstrual hygiene in school results in absenteeism, resulting in poor school performance, drop-out, and reduced educational attainment.”
As a result, millions of women and girls face obstacles in reaching their full potential. Studio Samuel remains dedicated to addressing this issue, which is why we are thrilled to announce our collaboration with Menstrual Hygiene Day as it celebrates its tenth anniversary on Tuesday, May 28, 2024.
Menstrual Hygiene Day has two key aims. First, it breaks the taboo around menstrual health and hygiene through raising awareness and shifting negative social norms around MHH. Second, it urges leaders to prioritize and act on menstrual hygiene on global, national, and local levels.
This partnership aligns with Studio Samuel’s commitment to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Notably, SDG #4: Quality Education, SDG #5: Gender Equality: and SDG #17: Partnerships for the Goals.
After our Menstrual Health session at a local school, we invited students in the audience to present their new menstrual kits, ensuring everyone was familiar and confident in using them.
Studio Samuel is no stranger to highlighting the devastating effects of period poverty and advocating for accessible menstrual hygiene. Studio Samuel’s Menstrual Kit initiative is a peer-to-peer training and education workshop that involves the community in Addis Ababa. 100 students, girls 9-18 years old – learn basic sewing (a very employable skill in Addis) while making menstrual kits that keep their peers in school during their periods. Together, the girls create, sew, package, distribute, and deliver a formal presentation on menstrual health for their peers in their villages. Each kit lasts 2-3 years and costs less than $15USD/kit. Studio Samuel delivers kits for free, with costs covered by dedicated supporters.
Overall, this initiative plays a crucial role in promoting gender equality, health, and education among girls in Addis Ababa and beyond. By addressing the challenges related to menstrual hygiene, it contributes to building a more inclusive and empowering society for women and girls.
Studio Samuel looks forward to partnering with Menstrual Hygiene Day to further emphasize these important issues. Together, we aim to engage with organizations worldwide to mobilize efforts and raise awareness about the significance of supporting women’s menstrual health for the success of women everywhere. To echo the sentiments of Menstrual Hygiene Day, “We face a critical lack of progress. To end period poverty and stigma, we need more investment in menstrual health and hygiene right now.”
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