This day is aimed to raise awareness around the importance of good menstrual hygiene for women and girls globally as well as attempting to break taboos surrounding menstruation.
The 28th May was chosen for symbolic reasons as May is the 5th month of the year representing the fact that most women menstruate for 5 days on average and their cycle is roughly 28 days, hence the 28th day in May!
Unfortunately, in some parts of the world, there is still a level of shame around periods with a lot of girls not having any understanding of periods before it actually happens meaning, when they do menstruate, it is a very scary and traumatic time for them.
Another alarming fact; girls around the world are skipping school due to having their periods because they just don’t know how to deal with them or worse still, can’t afford sanitary products.
In the most extreme cases, some girls drop out of school completely because of the above!
Menstrual Hygiene Day is a great place to start reminding people that periods are not dirty and are in fact essential.
You can also support charities that genuinely care and aim to help by clicking on the links below:
