Menstruation is normal and natural, but menstrual requirements of women and adolescent girls have been ignored in sanitation. This section mentions useful sources on this subject.
Published on: 12/01/2012
Menstruation is normal and natural, but menstrual requirements of women and adolescent girls have been ignored in sanitation. An awareness-building programme from WaterAid Bangladesh helped put the issue on the development agenda. Menstrual hygiene management in dry toilets needs special attention. In a unique project in Papua New Guinea (PNG) young women directed product development and design to meet their needs for menstrual hygiene. In Pakistan, the Integrated Regional Support programme (IRSP) has piloted a menstrual hygiene promotion project in Mardan district. In India, Unicef and the Indian Department of Drinking Water Supply have published a factsheet. In the same country, WaterAid and local NGOs carried out a survey on existing behaviours, misconceptions and availability and accessibility of menstruation products, developed menstrual hygiene communication tools and linked the demand to entrepreneurship. WaterAid also published a South Asia regional report on the topic.
An MSc thesis titled 'Women’s Needs, Women’s Action: Toilet Development in Urban and Rural Communities of India' has a chapter on the excellent design adjustments to public toilets in Mumbai by SPARC, Mahila Milan and the National Slum Dwellers' Federation.
