Menstrual Hygiene Day is observed every year on May 28 with an aim spread awareness about menstrual hygiene and curb taboos associated with menstruation. The day intends to enable women and girls around the world to achieve their full potential without menstruation becoming a hindrance. The menstruation issue statistics in our country is no less than a nightmare. For instance: 88 percent of girls and menstruating women use unsafe materials- things as bad as hay, rags, ashes etc. Over 66 percent of girls don't know of menstruation before their first period and the same percentage of women manage menstruation without toilets; 70 percent of mothers think periods are dirty. There is a dire need in our country for making conditions better for women. Nepali Woman Dies after Spending Night in a 'Menstruation Hut', Second Such Incident in a Month.

Menstrual Hygiene Day Theme 2019

Menstrual Hygiene Day 2019 theme is "It's Time for Action" and it clearly indicates the urgency of this public health issue. The theme also highlights how improved menstrual hygiene and facilities can help empower women and girls around the world. This won't only improve the lives of the women all around but also help the women unlock their economic and educational opportunities. Home Remedy of the Week: 5 Natural Ways to Beat the Stomach Ache During Menstruation.

Menstrual Hygiene Day Significance

The day holds immense significance in terms of improving the conditions most women have to live in due to lack of basic sanitation facilities for young girls and women of menstruating age. Most of these women live in poor socioeconomic environments. A 2014 study conducted in India found that as many as 42 percent of women who participate in the study did not know about sanitary pads. Not only that they were even unaware of their anatomy like exactly where do the menstruate from.

Objectives of Menstrual Hygiene Day

  • To spread awareness about the challenges women and girls face during their menstruation and find a reasonable solution for them.

  • To discuss innovative solutions to address the challenges.

  • To bring together women and organisation working towards women issues on a national and local level.

  • To actively advocate for the integration of menstrual hygiene management into global, national and local policies and programmes.

The day urges participation from people from all walks of life. A collective effort is the only way to improve the lives of women and girls around the world, with at least providing them with the basic sanitary facility.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 27, 2019 05:02 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).