Menstruation & the SDGs

Summary

This presentation discusses the connection between menstruation and the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in relation to poverty, health, education, and gender equality, focusing on Uganda. It highlights how inadequate menstrual health management negatively impacts these areas. Examples include lack of access to menstrual products leading to school absenteeism, social isolation, and increased risk of health issues. The speaker emphasizes the need for broader societal change, involvement of men, and governmental support to address period poverty and help achieve the SDGs.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted by world leaders in 2015, with 17 goals addressing global issues like poverty, health, and education.
• 🤝 The SDGs are a universal endeavor, aiming to include both low-income countries like Uganda and high-income countries like Denmark.
• 💡 Menstrual health management is closely tied to many SDGs, particularly in terms of poverty, health, education, and gender equality.
• 💸 Poverty impacts menstruation, with people often unable to afford quality menstrual products, leading to the use of unsanitary alternatives.
• 🩸 In some countries, including Uganda, menstruating individuals resort to extreme measures like selling food rations to buy pads, or even undergoing procedures like uterine removal in India due to work conditions.
• 👩‍⚕️ Poor menstrual health is linked to health risks like infections, transactional sex (which increases HIV risk), and pain that goes untreated due to shame.
• 🏫 Education is heavily affected by menstruation, with studies showing higher absenteeism and lack of participation from girls during their periods, especially in Uganda.
• 💬 Gender equality issues are highlighted, with menstruation being tied to early marriages and financial pressures on families to marry off their daughters to reduce costs.
• 🙍‍♀️ Shame and fear surrounding menstruation are pervasive, but involving men in the conversation can help challenge these stigmas and create a sense of freedom for girls and women.
• 📈 Addressing menstruation and period poverty is critical to achieving SDGs, especially in countries like Uganda, where government leaders have acknowledged the importance of the issue.

Q & A

What are the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of 17 global goals adopted by world leaders in 2015. They aim to address major global issues such as poverty, health, education, and environmental sustainability. The goals apply to all countries, from low-income nations like Uganda to high-income ones like Denmark.

How is menstruation related to the SDGs?

Menstruation is linked to many of the SDGs, particularly in how inadequate menstrual health management negatively affects them. Examples include impacts on poverty, health, education, and gender equality. Proper menstrual health management is essential for achieving several of the goals.

How does poverty affect menstrual health management?

Poverty limits access to quality menstrual products, forcing people to use unsafe alternatives like corn cobs, old newspapers, or even nothing at all. This can lead to infections, social isolation, and other health issues. In some cases, like in Uganda, people sell food rations to buy pads, which highlights the desperation caused by the lack of affordable products.

What are some examples of how menstrual health management impacts people in different countries?

In the UK, poor girls are provided free pads to help them stay in school. In Uganda, refugees only receive menstrual products for the first three months. In Bangladesh, factory workers take hormonal contraceptives to stop menstruation and keep working. In India, some sugarcane cutters have their uterus removed to avoid menstrual pain.

How is menstruation linked to health and the risk of HIV transmission?

Menstruation is linked to health issues like transactional sex, where girls may exchange sex for money or favors due to financial desperation. This increases the risk of HIV transmission. Additionally, many women stop using contraceptives due to concerns about menstrual irregularities, which can further complicate family planning and health outcomes.

How does menstruation affect education in Uganda?

Menstruation affects school attendance in Uganda, with girls missing 28% of school days during their periods compared to 7% on non-period days. Moreover, 64.7% of girls avoid participating in class during menstruation due to fear of ridicule if they leak or smell, which significantly hampers their education.

What is 'period poverty' and how does it affect Uganda’s SDGs?

Period poverty refers to the lack of access to affordable menstrual products. This issue affects Uganda's ability to meet the SDGs, particularly in terms of gender equality, health, and education. Government leaders, including the Minister of Higher Education, have acknowledged that addressing period poverty is essential for achieving the SDGs.

How does menstruation relate to gender equality and child marriage in Uganda?

Menstruation is often viewed as a sign that girls are ready for marriage in Uganda, which can lead to child marriage. Some parents are eager to pass on the financial burden of caring for a girl, including the cost of menstrual products, to a husband. This contributes to gender inequality and early marriage.

Why is involving men in menstrual health management important?

Involving men in menstrual health management is important because it helps reduce the stigma and shame associated with menstruation. Many men are curious and willing to support girls and women, which can lead to a greater sense of freedom and agency for both genders.

What emotions do girls express regarding menstruation and how does addressing menstrual issues affect them?

Girls often express feelings of fear and shame related to menstruation, but when menstrual issues are addressed, they speak about experiencing freedom. This freedom allows them to engage in everyday activities like riding bikes, going to school, and spending time with friends, which enhances their overall well-being.