Introduction:
The International Menstrual Health Day is observed every year on May 28th to create awareness and break the silence around menstrual hygiene management. The day provides an opportunity to promote good menstrual hygiene practices, reduce stigmas, and ensure access to menstrual products and services for all. The theme for 2023 is “Empowering Women and Girls through Menstrual Health.” This concept note focuses on the supply chain and new marketing strategy for period products in Ethiopia to create an enabling environment for girls and women to manage their menstruation with dignity.

Event Objective:
The primary objective of this event is to develop a new marketing strategy and supply chain for period products in Ethiopia to ensure affordability, accessibility, and availability of menstrual products for all women and girls. The event aims to empower women and girls to manage their menstrual health effectively, reduce the stigma surrounding menstruation, and advocate for better access to menstrual products and facilities.

Purpose:
The purpose of this event is to raise awareness, promote education and advocate for an inclusive environment on menstrual health and hygiene in Ethiopia. The event aims to empower women and girls through the development of a new marketing strategy and supply chain for period products that will ensure affordability, accessibility, and availability of menstrual products.

Target Audience:
The event targets policymakers, manufacturers, distributors, retailers, healthcare professionals, and stakeholders in the menstrual hygiene management sector.

Event Activities:
The event will feature the following activities:
1. Keynote Speeches: Esteemed speakers will provide keynote speeches to educate and create awareness about menstrual hygiene management and the importance of the supply chain and new marketing strategy for period products.
2. Panel Discussions: A panel of experts will discuss the challenges, progress, and future of menstrual hygiene management, the importance of the supply chain, and new marketing strategies for period products.
3. Workshops: The event will feature workshops on product development, innovation, and supply chain management.
4. Exhibition: The event will have an exhibition showcasing menstrual hygiene products and services, supply chain management systems, and marketing strategies for period products.
5. Social Media Campaign: A social media campaign will run before, during, and after the event to engage a wider audience and create awareness.
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Event Format:
The event will be a hybrid event, combining virtual and physical components. The physical event will take place in a centrally located conference center with an expected audience of up to 100 people. The virtual component will be broadcast globally, enabling a larger audience to participate

Discussion Points:

Discussions will be guided under the following themes and sub-themes;
1. Supply Chain Management: Challenges, progress, and future of the supply chain management systems for period products in Ethiopia.
. Challenges in the supply chain for period products in Ethiopia
. Opportunities for improving the supply chain for period products in Ethiopia

2 New Marketing Strategies: Developing new marketing strategies for period products that will ensure affordability, accessibility, and availability of menstrual products.
• Innovative marketing strategies for promoting sustainable and affordable period products in Ethiopia
• The role of the private sector in promoting sustainable and affordable period products in Ethiopia

3. Healthcare Professional’s Role: The role of healthcare professionals in menstrual hygiene management and advocating for the supply chain and new marketing strategy for period products.
4. Policy: Advocating for the development of policies that promote the supply chain and new marketing strategy for period products.

Participants:
The event will bring together the following participants:
1. Manufacturers and distributors of menstrual products.
2. Period Poverty/MHM rights advocates
3. Government officials
4. Heads of key national institutions women leaders
5. Youth Councils
6. Youth Organizations
7. Private Sector Partners, including period products manufacturers and vendors
8. Policy makers
9. Human rights Defenders
10. Women’s rights advocates.

Possible Agenda:
● Opening remarks
● Presentation on International Menstrual Health Day (why MHM day, commitments, and theme of this meeting)
● Keynote Speeches
● Panel discussion on the supply chain and new marketing strategy for period products in Ethiopia
● Workshops on menstrual hygiene management, product development, and innovation
● Exhibition showcasing sustainable and affordable period products and services available in Ethiopia
● Social Media Campaign
● Networking
● Q & A
● Way forward and closing

Expected Outcomes from the Supply Chain and New Marketing Strategy for Period Products in Ethiopia on International Menstrual Hygiene Day 2023 could include:
1. Increased awareness: The new marketing strategy will increase awareness about menstrual health and hygiene among the population, especially in rural areas where access to education and healthcare is limited.
2. Improved accessibility: The improved supply chain will ensure that period products are more readily available and affordable, particularly for women and girls from low-income households.
3. Reduced stigma: The marketing strategy will aim to reduce the stigma associated with menstruation, promoting a more positive and accepting attitude towards menstrual health.
4. Enhanced menstrual health management: With better access to period products, women and girls will be better equipped to manage their menstrual health, reducing the risk of infections and other menstrual health-related issues.
5. Empowerment of women and girls: By addressing the issue of menstrual health and hygiene, women and girls will be empowered to take control of their bodies and lives, which will have positive long-term effects on their health, education, and economic opportunities.
6. Increased demand for sustainable and eco-friendly period products: The new marketing strategy could raise awareness about the environmental impact of traditional period products and promote the use of eco-friendly alternatives, such as reusable menstrual cups and cloth pads.

Overall, the expected outcomes of the supply chain improvements and new marketing strategy on International MH Day 2023 would contribute to breaking down taboos and improving menstrual health and hygiene practices in Ethiopia.