The UN Resident Coordinator Attends an Inspirational Screening and Discussion on Menstrual Health with Waterford Kamhlaba

1. How much education were you provided with about menstruation?

“You are a woman now.” How many of us here today heard this statement upon menstruating for the first time? The moment a girl begins the transition into womanhood is a moment that should be celebrated.

Unfortunately, for many young women around the world, menstruation is not a celebration but something which brings shame and is a hindrance to their dignity.

One in ten girls in Africa miss school because of menstruation. This absenteeism is largely caused by a lack of access to adequate facilities at school, minimal awareness around menstruation, embarrassment, menstrual pain and the inability to afford hygienic sanitary materials.

The fact that you and I received an education about menstruation as African women is a privilege.

2. Why is period advocacy important to you?

As we have witnessed this evening, watching this incredible and inspirational film, it is evident that period advocacy is crucial to upholding the human rights of women. Human rights are to be afforded to every human, by virtue of his or her human dignity.

Menstruation is deeply rooted in human dignity: the shame and exclusion associated with it should not exist. As should every woman have access to safe and affordable menstrual hygiene management facilities and resources.

We cannot achieve SDG 5, ‘gender equality’, without ensuring that every woman is enabled to manage their own menstrual cycle without stigma or discrimination. Intrinsically linked to the empowerment of women are SDGs 3; ‘health and well-being’, 4; ‘quality education’, 6; ‘clean water and sanitation’ and 8; ‘decent work and economic growth’. Until every girl and woman has access to health facilities, receives a quality education, has access to clean water and safe sanitation facilities, and is enabled to maintain work throughout her period, we will not have a girl-friendly world.

I was moved by the idea that the courageous women in the film named their brand ‘FLY’; in an effort to help women soar. This speaks for itself.

Change begins with you and me. Let us continue to have candid conversations on menstrual health, the debilitating disorders associated with menstruation, period poverty, stigma and discrimination. Let us include boys and men in the conversation, as well as marginalised groups such as trans-gender women and men who experience menstruation too.

This is why period advocacy is important to me: for you, for me, for us and the generation of women to come; we must continue to fight for the human dignity of all.

3. What do you think the most misunderstood part of menstruation is?

There are many taboos around menstruation which still exist: all of which have an impact on girls and women.

Menstruation is thought of as being dirty or dangerous in many parts of the world, limiting a woman’s access to religious spaces, cooking, and at times, sleeping in the home. For instance, in western Nepal, the tradition of ‘chhaupadi’ prohibits women and girls from cooking food and compels them to spend the night outside the home, often in a hut or livestock shed, exposing them to extreme weather conditions and at times, animal attacks.

However, particularly harmful to girls is the idea that menstruation indicates readiness for marriage and sex. This destructive belief leaves girls vulnerable to abuse, child marriage, sexual violence and early pregnancy. In rare cases, girls as young as 7 or 8 years old begin menstruation, which does not indicate emotional, psychological, mental or physical maturity.

In the Kingdom of Eswatini, 87 of every 1,000 teenage girls are falling pregnant. Early teenage pregnancy is the leading cause of girl teens dropping out of school nationwide and brings with it many health risks such as pregnancy and birth complications.

1 in 3 Swazi girls experience sexual violence before the age of 18, while nearly half of Swazi women will experience sexual violence in their lifetime. Violence has far-reaching consequences for families and societies, affecting both physical and mental health: from domestic violence, to trafficking, genital mutilation, femicide and child marriage, it is clear that we need to pay closer attention to the rights of women. Women are made vulnerable to violence through the multiple ways in which we keep them unequal, which include menstruation.

Beyond sexual violence, the emotional abuse received by women regarding ‘moodiness’; something which I am sure we can all relate to, is harmful in many ways. The menstrual cycle is controlled by hormones and some women are affected by these hormonal changes. However, labelling women as ‘moody’ or ‘unfit’ to make objective decisions is stigmatising and damaging. This, I feel, is indeed one of the most misunderstood aspects of menstruation.

4. What do you dislike the most about menstruation?

Menstruation is often different for each person: with the average woman menstruating for three to eight years of her life! This is an eye-opening statistic.

I dislike the immense stigma and discrimination experienced by many girls and women around the world: the many ways in which menstruation keeps women and girls unequal. The pain and discomfort that it can bring to our bodies and minds is oftentimes what I do not look forward to each month either.

However, I do believe that menstruation is a blessing in other ways, for it enables women to have children and at times, allows women to take rest and realign with their bodies. I am often reminded of this in witnessing the emotional pain experienced by women who do not menstruate.

Menstruation will be something to be celebrate when all girls and women have access to menstrual management resources and are free from stigma and discrimination.

 

5. What is the UN’s stance on menstruation?

The UN believes strongly in ensuring the dignity of all people and leaving no one behind, including girls and women. Menstruation increases the vulnerability of women and girls which makes it a priority of the United Nations.

We work to implement programmes through national systems that allow scale, sustainability and equality, building the capacity of all involved, with partners, by providing trainings, hosting dialogues and designing effective programmes.

One SDG cannot be achieved without that of the other. Therefore, the achievement of SDGs 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8 are critical in enabling women and girls to prosper.

The UN Secretary-General, Mr António Guterres, called for a ‘Decade of Action’ in which global actors are to hasten their steps in achieving the SDGs and in turn, Agenda 2030.

We have to acknowledge that menstruation plays a pivotal role in the empowerment of women. Today, more than ever, we remember the words of Kofi Anan; “When women thrive, all of society benefits.”