Together for a period-friendly world
The common mission of the MH Day movement is to create a period-friendly world.
A period-friendly world is a world in which menstruation is accepted as a normal fact of life and is no longer stigmatised. It is a world in which everyone is educated about menstruation from an early age. In a period-friendly world, everyone has access to quality and affordable period products of their choice. Everyone has access to period-friendly toilets. And in a period-friendly world, menstrual health services are available to everyone. It is a world where no one is held back just because they menstruate.
MH Day is in mission mode
Instead of annual themes, the Menstrual Hygiene Day movement now unites behind one long-term mission: Together for a #PeriodFriendlyWorld.
This powerful broad mission statement helps us to focus on our common goal and enables everyone in our diverse movement to contribute in their own way. It underscores our joint belief that – yes – a period friendly world is possible within our generation and emphasizes our joint commitment to work together to make it happen.
Currently, more than 500 million women and girls lack the resources and support they need to manage their periods safely and with dignity. Menstruation-related challenges affect the educational and income-earning opportunities and the health of women and girls all over the world. They undermine their ability to participate fully and equally in society. The global economic impact is immense. Menstruation-related challenges are estimated to cost societies around the world hundreds of billions of USD in productivity losses, increased health costs, and reduced overall economic growth every year.
And we have the power to change that.
The 5 areas of a period-friendly world
In a period-friendly world, we have made progress across 5 key areas of menstrual health and hygiene (MHH):
1. Period-friendly social environment
A period-friendly social environment is the foundation of a period-friendly world. It paves the way for progress in all other areas. As long as menstruation is stigmatised, the challenges surrounding it remain confined to private conversations. They don’t enter the public discourse. And if they’re not part of the public discourse, they can’t be addressed or solved at a systemic level.
In turn, systemic change — like improved access to menstrual products and period education — creates greater visibility and encourages open conversations about menstruation. Improvements in these areas both depend on and reinforce progress towards the normalisation of menstruation.
A period-friendly social environment is positive and respectful in relation to the menstrual cycle. In a period-friendly social environment, menstruation is accepted for what it is: a normal fact of life. It is free from stigma, taboos, and restrictions.
A period-friendly world is a world in which menstruation is accepted as normal and is no longer stigmatised.
2. Period education
Period education is essential for menstrual health and hygiene. Lack of period education increases health risks and contributes to girls missing or dropping out of school. This, in turn, can result in reduced professional opportunities and income later in life. When girls and boys learn from a young age that menstruation is normal, societal acceptance grows.
Good period education provides girls with the practical and biological knowledge they need at the beginning of puberty and helps to address fears and shame. It enables girls and women to handle their periods safely and with confidence, make informed decisions about their bodies, and address discomforts.
It should be timely, age-appropriate, and accessible. Access to timely and accurate knowledge is crucial for supporting the mental well-being of girls and women and dismantling stigma and taboos.
In a period-friendly world, everyone is educated about menstruation from an early age.
3. Access to period products
Access to menstrual products is fundamental for women’s and girls’ health and dignity. Without access, women and girls miss out on work and school and risk health problems, both physical and mental. It disrupts normal participation in daily life, resulting in a loss of productivity.
Quality products that are effective and safe need to be accessible and affordable for everyone.
In a period-friendly world, everyone has access to and can afford period products of their choice.
4. Period-friendly toilets
Period-friendly toilets are essential for managing menstruation hygienically and with dignity. Lack of access can lead to infections and psychological distress. When educational institutions and workplaces don’t have period-friendly toilets, girls and women often miss school or work.
Period-friendly toilets should be available in homes, schools, universities, workplaces, and public areas like markets, sports facilities, train stations and airports. They should be designed with women and girls in mind, including those with disabilities. This means they need to be accessible, clean, and have a disposal option, water, and soap.
In a period-friendly world, everyone has access to period-friendly toilets.
5. Menstrual health services
Timely diagnosis, treatment, and care for disorders and diseases linked to menstruation are crucial for women’s health. Menstrual disorders are serious medical conditions that require professional attention like any other health issue. Chronic, untreated menstrual disorders and diseases can impact all aspects of life. Without access to menstrual health services, women and girls face long-term medical and economic consequences.
Menstrual health services include access to trained medical staff and self-care practices such as cycle tracking and pain relief methods. Menstrual literacy is essential for women and girls to know when to seek medical assistance.
In a period-friendly world, menstrual health services are available to everyone.
A period-friendly world is possible - but how?
10 years ago, the challenges related to menstrual health and hygiene (MHH) were covered in silence. Hardly anyone talked about menstruation and even fewer organisations tackled the problems surrounding the issue.
What did it take to change that?
Courageous pioneers who led the way and inspired others to join. And an initial spark like MH Day on 28 May. A day when we all come together to put a global spotlight on the issue. A spotlight that makes MHH more visible and shows just how important it is. And that increases the pressure on governments and other institutions to act.
Together, not alone - this simple guiding principle has been at the core of MH Day since its launch in 2014. MH Day is now a global movement with more than 1,150 partners, from small and large NGOs to governments, corporations and UN agencies.
This diversity is an asset. It enables MH Day partners to build powerful collaborations to accelerate progress towards a period friendly world on and beyond MH Day, such as:
- NGOs that coordinate their MH Day activities or build coalitions to reach even more people, maximise media engagement or push governments to step up action.
- Corporate partners that support government programmes to end period poverty or collaborate with NGOs to push back period stigma or promote menstruation education for girls and boys.
- Governments that develop new policies and programmes in coordination with NGOs and UN partners.
- Let’s not forget one of our most important allies: the media. For MH Day 2014, we tracked 89 pieces of media coverage. For MH Day 2024, it was 23,400. Media around the world now have MH Day in their editorial calendars and report extensively on the topic and activities of MH Day partners. Their role is critical to reach the mainstream of society and to engage a men and boys.
Together with men and boys
A period-friendly world is in the best interest of everybody, including men and boys.
Why? Because at home, at work and at school, men and boys have women and girls they care about, such as partners, mothers, sisters and colleagues. And because a period-friendly world is a more prosperous world for everyone.
How to use #PeriodFriendlyWorld
The hashtag #PeriodFriendlyWorld is extremely flexible and will fit into your campaign seamlessly.
Contextualize the hashtag
You are welcome to customise the hashtag, for example by adding a country or a theme such as #PeriodFriendlyIndia or #PeriodFriendlySchools
Start a conversation
You can use it to start conversations with your followers and beneficiaries. Ask a question about a #PeriodFriendlyWorld and listen. "What is your vision of a #PeriodFriendlyWorld?" "Do you think you live in a #PeriodFriendlyWorld?" "Where do you still see challenges in moving towards a #PeriodFriendlyWorld?" Get curious and open a dialogue with others.
Talk about your work
The hashtag is also a great tool for talking about your work. Mention your contribution to a #PeriodFriendlyWorld. Like: "Our contribution to a #PeriodFriendlyWorld in 2024: educating 10,000 girls in India about menstruation." or "We donated 2 million products to those in need. Because this is what it would feel like to live in a #PeriodFriendlyWorld: not having to worry about access to period products."
Combine it wit the Bracelet
You can also combine it with the Menstruation Bracelet. Just include it in your statement. "I wear the Menstruation Bracelet because I want to live in a #PeriodFriendlyWorld." "With the Menstruation Bracelet we break the silence around menstruation. This way, we get one step closer to a #PeriodFriendlyWorld."
#MHDay2025
#PeriodFriendlyWorld is a powerful hashtag. But please make sure to add #MHDay2025 as well. It is relevant to be considered in the data. Let's make the numbers add up!
