- On average a woman menstruates for about 7 years during their lifetime.
- The first period can be met with either celebration, fear or
concern. For every girl, this signifies an important transition to
womanhood - a time when they would benefit from the support of family
and friends.
- Many girls do not have complete and accurate understanding of
menstruation as a normal biological process. Educating girls before
their first period -- and, importantly, boys -- on menstruation, builds
their confidence, contributes to social solidarity and encourages
healthy habits. Such information should be provided at home and at
school.
- Poor menstrual hygiene can pose physical health risks and has been linked to reproductive and urinary tract infections.
Many girls and women have limited options for affordable menstrual
materials. Providing access to private facilities with water and safer
low-cost menstrual materials could reduce urogenital diseases.
- Girls and women with disabilities and special needs face additional
challenges with menstrual hygiene and are affected disproportionately
with lack of access to toilets with water and materials to manage their
period.
- Many women and girls do not have access to materials to manage
their menstruation, especially in times of emergency -- natural
disasters and conflicts.
- In emergencies, UNICEF provides dignity kits to
women and girls, which include sanitary pads, a flashlight and whistle
for personal safety when using the toilet.
- Globally, 2.3 billion people lack basic sanitation services and in
Least Developed Countries only 27 per cent of the population has a
handwashing facility with water and soap at home. Managing periods at
home is a major challenge for women and adolescent girls who lack these
basic facilities at home.
- About half of the schools in low-income countries lack adequate drinking water, sanitation and hygiene crucial for girls and female
teachers to manage their period. Inadequate facilities can affect girls’
experience at school, causing them to miss school during their period.
All schools should provide running water, safe and clean toilets for
adolescent girls.
