International Day of the Girl Child (IDG)
A period should never get in the way of a girl’s education. Period.
The 11th of October is International Day of the Girl Child (IDG). Millions of girls around the world regularly miss school because schools don’t meet their menstrual needs: access to menstrual materials, period-friendly facilities, access to information and a stigma-free environment. This 11th of October, let’s call for action to create a world where no girl ever has to miss school because of her period!
Add your voice to advocate for period-friendly schools on social media
We have created a set of campaign materials for you, including 5 thematic videos with key statistics from different world regions and 2 more general images. The videos and images can be downloaded below. Alternatively, you can add your voice by commenting or sharing posts from the MH Day social media channels.
How to use the videos
Each video highlights a key statistic from one country. If you are working in another country, you can still use the videos. Combine a video with a key statistic from your country and then call for action. Here’s an example: “Sadly, the situation is even worse in country X, where almost 40% of girls lack access to menstrual products. @[tag responsible Ministry] #ItsTimeForAction
How to use the images
We have also created two more general images. Post the images, combine them with a key statistic from your country (if you want), and also tag those institutions who could and should improve the situation – e.g. @[tag responsible Ministry]. As always, the images have a dedicated white space where you can integrate your logo.
MH DAY 2021 results
Record-breaking!
In total, MH Day 2021 reached a record-breaking 566 million people with positive stigma-busting messaging.
We haven’t allowed COVID-19 to stop our movement. On the contrary: together, we have made MH Day 2021 bigger, better, stronger, and more impactful than ever!
Now we’re ready to make the next step. Starting in 2022, we will focus on translating increased attention for MHH into measurable action and investment! Together, we can create a world where no woman or girl is held back because of her period.
#ItsTimeForAction
A strong partnership:
MH Day is powered by more than 800 MH Day partner organizations who drive advocacy and action for MHM all around the world.
We thank the following key partners and supporters for helping to make MH Day happen:
The Menstruation Bracelet
A Global Symbol for Menstruation
The Menstruation Bracelet is a global symbol for menstruation created by MH Day. It stands for our joint commitment to create a world, by 2030, where no woman or girl is kept from realising her full potential because she menstruates. Click the button below to learn more about the Bracelet and how to use it.
Find out more about MHM and MH Day
About MH Day
Menstrual Hygiene Day (MH Day) is a global platform that brings together non-profits, government agencies, individuals, the private sector and the media to catalyze advocacy and action towards a world where women and girls are no longer limited because of their periods.
The MH Day partnership
MH Day is powered by more than 530 organizations from all around the world across a wide range of sectors united by the commitment to accelerate progress on MHM.
MHM and the SDGs
Menstruation matters to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). While there is no specific SDG goal or indicator on MHM, this infographic shows how MHM is relevant to different SDGs. Use and share this infographic to advocate for more attention to MHM.
MHM and human rights
“Understanding menstrual hygiene management and human rights” is a practictioner’s guide on the interlinkages between MHM and human rights by Human Rights Watch and WASH United.
The latest on MHM
MHM in the news, conference announcements, and much more…
MHM Education Guide now available for everyone!
WASH United has applied the philosophy of open access and collective impact that is behind Menstrual Hygiene Day to the field of MHM education.The result: a website through which any organisation or individual can access the MHM Education Guide, a ground-breaking new...
The Role of Supportive Self-Care Environments in Advancing Menstrual Equity
Key insights from a session organized by Days for Girls, WASH United, MIET Africa in collaboration with the Global Menstrual Collective, on June 29, 2021, as part of the Self-Care Learning and Discovery Series hosted by the Self-Care Trailblazer Group and the White...
Generation Equality Forum Countdown Event: Investing in menstruation is investing in gender equality
WASH United / MH Day co-hosted together with the Global Menstrual Collective an official countdown event to the Generation Equality Forum on June 29, 2021. The session highlighted why menstrual health and hygiene is critical to gender equality and how investment in...
Africa Symposium on Menstrual Health 2021
The event, organized by the African Coalition on Menstrual Health Management (ACMHM) with UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, recognized progress from the first symposium in 2018 with menstrual health policies rolled out across the...
MH Day impact stories: Pakistani Sportswomen become MHM Champions
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, UNICEF Pakistan was unable to conduct activities on the ground to commemorate Menstrual Hygiene Day (MH Day) 2020. But engaging with Pakistani sportswomen and sharing positive messages via social media has been a hugely successful pathway...
Menstrual Hygiene in South Asia – updated Country Briefs
The menstrual hygiene (MH) snapshots series developed by WaterAid and UNICEF provides an update on MH programming in WASH in Schools in South Asia. This is the 2021 updates to the initial series from 2018. The 2018-2020 country snapshots reveal that across the region...
