Making menstruation a normal fact of life and ending period poverty and stigma by 2030. This is – in a nutshell – the goal of Menstrual Hygiene Day (MH Day). Not too much to ask, is it? The bitter truth: we aren’t there yet – far from it. Menstruation is an entirely normal and healthy physical function. Yet, women and girls are excluded, stigmatised and disempowered just because they menstruate. Period taboos and stigmas have severe negative consequences on women and girls’ health, education, income earning opportunities, and gender equality. This doesn’t only happen in developing areas. Also in the modern, western world. So, yep. #MHDay2023 is still needed.

Menstrual Hygiene Day is a worldwide movement of more than 900 organisations working together to create a world where no one is held back because they menstruate. Period! Magazine supports MD Day since the very first global day of action (initiated by Wash United) on 28 May, back in 2014. Why this specific date, you might ask? Well, May is the fifth month of the year, representing five days, or the average number of days (between two to seven) a woman or girl menstruates each month. And 28 represents the average number of days in a menstrual cycle.

Making menstruation a normal fact of life

Compared to the very first edition, loads of things have already changed. More and more people (students, researchers, authors, journalists, designers, teachers, podcast hosts and film makers) embrace the importance of menstrual health and take a stand against period shaming. Menstruation has its momentum, so to speak. However, we’re still far from the goal of MH Day. Namely, making menstruation a normal fact of life and, by 2030, having created a world where:

• menstruation can be managed safely, hygienically, with confidence, and without shame;
• everyone can access and afford the menstrual product of their choice, period stigma is a thing of the past;
• everyone has basic information about menstruation;
• everyone can access period-friendly water and sanitation;
• where hygiene facilities are available everywhere.

This is what you can do

Your support is needed. So, here’s what you can do. For starters: wear a Menstrual Bracelet, the global symbol for menstruation. Symbols, like the red ribbon for HIV/AIDS, the yellow ribbon for endometriosis, the pink ribbon for breast cancer and the rainbow flag for LGBTQ+ rights, have the power to catalyse awareness and action. The Menstruation Bracelet for MH Day consists of 28 elements, five of them red. By wearing the bracelet, you can express that periods are nothing to hide, start conversations about menstruation, and help to push back period stigma. One bracelet at a time.

#MHDay2023: menstruation on the agenda

Scale up your support? On a personal level: open up about period problems and visit a GP if you suffer from menstrual complaints; stop hiding your menstrual products in your sleeve or purse on the way to the bathroom; ask for menstrual products if you need them; educate your children (girls and boys) about menstruation at an early age. Ready for the next level? Give ‘menstrual health’ the attention it deserves. Discuss the topic in school and at work. Help create period friendly toilets wherever you can. Organise an event to battle period poverty and stigma. Wear you Menstrual Bracelet with pride.

• Curious what events are organised worldwide? Check out menstrualhygieneday.org/.
• Support MH Day on social media? Use the hashtags #WeAreCommitted, #EndPeriodPoverty, #EndPeriodStigma, #PeriodEducationForAll, #PeriodFriendlyToilets, #MenstruationMatters, and #MHDay2023.
• Like to learn more about awareness events, period poverty and menstrual taboos? Check our categories Global and/or Culture. Or just start at our homepage.

Period! is an independent, online magazine about all aspects of menstruation. Period! is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. If you’re suffering from medical complaints, always visit your doctor or GP. Editorial articles can contain affiliate links. Sponsored collaborations can be found in the category Spotlight. Do you have any questions? Check our Contact page.