Women and girls’ access to MHM is a component of gender-responsive WASH services; SDG 6.2 acknowledges the right to menstrual health and hygiene, with the explicit aim to, “By 2030, achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations”. Without considering the need for safe and dignified menstruation, the world cannot achieve the vision for sanitation and hygiene under Goal 6.
HANDS WASH Department has been working on MHM for more than five years and has covered a wide range of initiatives involving adolescent girls, parents, teachers, school management committees, district, provincial and national level service providers, parliamentarians and civil society organizations.
HANDS WASH Department has planned to build upon its MHM model and ignite a national MHM movement that would aim at the provision of women-friendly sanitation facilities in every public building in the country by 2030.