Menstrual Health: A Critical Concern for Women’s Rights and Well-Being at National and International Levels
Year: 2023
Type: article
Abstract: To Editor, International Women's Day is indeed celebrated on March 8th every year.It is a global day dedicated to celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women.It also serves as a call to action for gender equality and women's rights.International Women's Day has been observed for over a century and is recognized and celebrated in many countries around the world.Menstrual Hygiene Day, on the other hand, is observed on May 28th each year.It is a day focused on raising awareness about menstrual hygiene and breaking the stigma surrounding menstruation.Menstrual Hygiene Day aims to promote access to safe and hygienic menstrual products and facilities for women and girls worldwide.It also advocates for proper education about menstruation to dispel myths and misconceptions.Both of these days have important objectives related to gender equality and women's wellbeing, but they address different aspects of women's lives and rights.Menstrual health is a critical concern for women both at the national and international levels (1).While women have achieved success in various fields, menstruation-related issues, particularly the right to menstrual leave, remain a taboo subject in developing counties like India.However, it's essential to challenge this silence and stigma surrounding menstruation and advocate for women's right to health.Menstrual health is an integral aspect of women's wellbeing and is protected under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Indian Constitution.Across the world, menstruation affects girls' education.Research by UNESCO reveals that in sub-Saharan Africa, one in ten girls misses school due to menstruation (2).In Ethiopia and Kenya, menstruation causes girls to miss one to four days of school per month, leading to a significant loss of learning days (3).Similarly, in the United Kingdom, 13% of girls aged 14 to 21 miss a whole day of school at least once every month due to their period (2).The 2014 report by the NGO Dasra, titled "Spot On!", Menstrual Health: A Critical Concern for Women's Rights and Well-Being at National and International Levels
Institution: Hidayatullah National Law University
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4390749882