EMERGENCIES Humanitarian emergencies, such as wars, displacement etc. can cause additional issues for people who menstruate, such as limited access to water, sanitation and hygiene, limited humanitarian support and the lack of privacy in camp structures. SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT In many societies, menstruation is surrounded by cultural taboos, restrictions and stigma. Necessary information is often not shared and harmful practices are perpetuated. In some cultures, the stigma associated with menstruation is so great that those who menstruate are separated from others as they are considered ‘impure’. LABOUR There remain various barriers and stigma around MHH in the workplace, such as the lack of adequate water and sanitation facilities, which impacts people’s health, accessibility and productivity in and to workplace environments. HEALTH Menstrual health is the state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being in relation to the menstrual cycle. This includes accessing and using hygienic menstrual materials, being able to access WASH-services and living in an environment free from stigma. EDUCATION Many schools do not have the necessary water and sanitation facilities, supplies, knowledge, and understanding to appropriately support MHH for girls and female teachers, which negatively impacts their full participation in school and thus the quality of education. GENDER EQUALITY Improving access to information on MHH, menstrual products and health services for all people who menstruate, but also engaging men and boys in menstrual conversations, action and interventions, is central to advancing gender equality. WASH Inadequate Water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities, particularly in schools, workplaces or during times of emergencies, can pose a major obstacle for all individuals who menstruate. Especially, the lack of gender-segregated toilets with doors that can be safely closed, or the unavailability of hand-washing and disposal systems, can hinder peoples’ healthy and dignified management of their menstruation. MATERIALS & SUPPLIES The insufficient accessibility, affordability and awareness of different hygienic menstrual supplies in many parts of the world necessitates solutions in various overarching intersectional fields (e.g. manufacturing standards, taxation, education) to truly grant everyone the power of choice. RELIGION As more than 80% of the world’s population adhere to a religion, religious beliefs play a significant role in fashioning an individual’s morals and worldview. Religion can therefore uphold harmful traditions and stigma, but also can influence and contribute to shattering taboos and improving MHH. LEAVE NO ONE BEHIND Even if women and girls are often the main target group for MHH, it is important to stress that not all women menstruate (menopause, stress, illness, …) and that not all who menstruate are women (trans- gender men, non-binary persons, ...). Equally important is the inclusion and support of people with disabilities who may have other needs to safely manage their menstruation. WASTE MANAGEMENT The use of sanitary products is at the core for managing one’s menstruation, which must be considered in terms of sustainability and safe disposal to protect against environmental pollution, as well as adequate facilities for discreet disposal. PANDEMICS Crises such as pandemics can also create unpredictable but often invisible challenges for MHH. For COVID-19 we could for example see shortages in the production and accessibility of MHH supplies, disruptions in the provision of basic menstrual education and difficulties for managing MHH while in quarantine. Contribute to the next versions of our key knowledge product. Visit us on SuSanA.org: https://bit.ly/2LW3B0q Hygiene GIZ / MenstruAction – From Enthusiasm to Action 21