World Menstrual Hygiene Day 2022: Theme, significance, all you need to know

NEW DELHI: The World Menstrual Hygiene Day is observed every year on May 28 to highlight the importance of good menstrual hygiene management (MHM) at a global level. This year, the theme is ‘Making menstruation a normal fact of life by 2030’, which aims to contribute in achieving an overarching goal – to build a world by 2030 where no one is held back because they menstruate.

Menstrual hygiene day 2022: Theme

This year’s theme -Making menstruation a normal fact of life by 2030 - aims to build a world where no one is held back because they menstruate by 2030. Further, it also focuses on:

• Break the taboos and end the stigma surrounding menstruation
• Raise awareness about the challenges regarding access to menstrual products, education about menstruation and period-friendly sanitation facilities
• Mobilise the funding required for action at scale

Also read | HC seeks Delhi government stand on PIL concerning sanitary napkins for girl students in schools

Raising awareness about menstrual hygiene, the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) shared stories of women around the globe.

It's World Menstrual Hygiene Day today and #WeAreCommitted to raising awareness about it. ?

Watch our video ?️? and share your commitment with us! #WeAreCommitted #PassTheBracelet @G_LaryeaAdjei @AbdullahAFadil @Sochai_YFN @UNICEFBD @unicef_nepal @UNICEF_Pakistan pic.twitter.com/xmNfaGxywg

— UNICEF South Asia (@UNICEFROSA) May 28, 2022

The Central Gurdwara (Khalsa Jatha) in London -- the oldest gurdwara in UK established in 1908 -- is the world's first gurudwara to provide free sanitary pads.

The Central Gurdwara (Khalsa Jatha) in London -- the oldest gurdwara in UK established in 1908 -- is the world's first gurudwara to provide free sanitary pads. It also runs workshops on menstrual health & makes sure there are no restrictions on women during their periods. pic.twitter.com/y3mHCnFLfo

— Dr Sumita Misra IAS (@sumitamisra) May 28, 2022

Dr Sumita Misra IAS wrote on Twitter, “We need to talk about periods, the importance of hygiene and the need to smash the shame associated with it on the world menstrual hygiene day!”

The Central Gurdwara (Khalsa Jatha) in London -- the oldest gurdwara in UK established in 1908 -- is the world's first gurudwara to provide free sanitary pads. It also runs workshops on menstrual health & makes sure there are no restrictions on women during their periods. pic.twitter.com/y3mHCnFLfo

— Dr Sumita Misra IAS (@sumitamisra) May 28, 2022

As per the UNICEF website, “71% adolescent girls in India remain unaware of menstruation till menarche. However, the Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) programme is improving young women’s health, nutritional status, well-being, as well as their enrollment and retention in schools.”

National Health Mission (NHM) Assam said, “An awareness rally was held on the occasion of Menstrual Hygiene Day. The rally was flagged off by Dr.M S Lakshmi Priya, IAS, MD, NHM. She also had an interactive session with the students of Dispur Govt HS School in Kamrup Metro.”

#MenstrualHygieneDay

An awareness rally was held on the occasion of Menstrual Hygiene Day. The rally was flagged off by Dr.M S Lakshmi Priya, IAS, MD, NHM. She also had an interactive session with the students of Dispur Govt HS School in Kamrup Metro. @MetroNhm pic.twitter.com/yupHTCYkk0

— NHM_Assam (@nhm_assam) May 28, 2022

WaterAid India also shared a report key reports they have recently worked on with United Nations Population Fund India on changing the landscape of menstrual hygiene management in India.

This #MenstrualHygieneDay2022 , #WeAreCommitted to making access to menstrual health and hygiene more inclusive. Here are some key reports we have recently worked on with @UNFPAIndia on changing the landscape of #MHMinIndia ?

— WaterAid India (@WaterAidIndia) May 28, 2022