THANK YOU The GIZ staff initiative MenstruAction is delighted that Louisa Ameyo Agossivi Sedjro, First Deputy Chair of the GIZ Supervisory Board, and Ingrid-Gabriela Hoven, Vice Chair of the GIZ Management Board, as well as the Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Dr. Bärbel Kofler, show their commitment to this important issue – together with around 700 colleagues from more than 40 countries. Louisa Ameyo Agossivi Sedjro, First Deputy Chair of the GIZ Supervisory Board 2 GIZ / MenstruAction – From Enthusiasm to Action 2015–2025 

10 Years of MenstruAction F ROM ENTHUSIASM TO AC TION This brochure illustrates the journey of the GIZ staff initiative MenstruAction from its beginnings until today. Some of the successes we achieved were inspired through our exchange and joint activities. We thank all of those who contributed! It all started in 2015 with a loose collaboration between colleagues from the education, health, gender and WASH sector. In 2018 this exchange became more formalized, through a series of exchange meetings on Menstrual Health and Hygiene (MHH). The meetings were jointly organised by the Sector Programme Sustainable Sanitation, the Support to the Health Sector Programme in Nepal and a diverse group of dedicated colleagues. This group of colleagues and the related exchange format on MHH became the nucleus for the GIZ staff initiative MenstruAction. The multi-sectoral group organized a range of exchange meetings and networking events within and outside of GIZ. From the start the colleagues reached out to other networks such as the Global Menstrual Collective, the MHM Partner’s Alliance Nepal and the Sustainable Sanitation Alliance (SuSanA), to other initiatives led by organisations like UNICEF, Columbia University or the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and to change makers like the famous Indian Pad Man, Arunachalam Muruganantham. Last, but not least, the German NGO WASH United, which invented the Menstrual Hygiene (MH) Day in 2014 and has been hosting the global secretariat since then, was a key partner from the very beginning. Bringing together interested GIZ colleagues, working in different sectors and countries with prominent stakeholders around the topic from within and outside GIZ helped us in breaking the taboo around MHH and to either incorporate or strengthen MHH measures in a range of programmes and activities. The exchange helped us to be more creative and generate ideas for joint activities around the MH Day and to involve more and more colleagues from a growing range of programmes and countries. In addition, the exchange on MHH allowed for mutual learning from each other and helped spread good ideas among the colleagues involved. MHH has proven to be an intersectoral topic that needs cross fertilization between a range of approaches and perspectives including the involvement of colleagues from programmes on sexual and reproductive health and rights, school health, WASH and gender equality and empowerment programmes, education, values and religion as well as waste manage- ment / circular economy. In addition, an impressive number of interested colleagues also joined the initiative and the meetings out of enthusiasm for the topic as such and despite weak or no direct work- related links to the topic. We aim at further mainstreaming the topic in the coming years and invite you to contact us and to join the initiative! After all, our work on MHH truly reflects GIZ’s new Gender Strategy 2025–2029 vision: ‘United in promoting gender equality and equal opportunities at GIZ and around the world.’ #WeAreCommit ted GE T IN T OUC H W I T H U S ! If you are planning an initiative linked to or focusing on MHH please contact us via: MenstruAction@giz.de We are trying to bring together all those interested in the topic and to allow for knowledge exchange and cross fertilization. We could e.g. include your initiative or idea in one of the upcoming meetings. 4 GIZ / MenstruAction – From Enthusiasm to Action 2015–2025 

2024 Periods@Work. PERIOD. Our Genderprize awarded initiative to make GIZ a more inclusive Workplace goes into project implementation. This is the latest activity of a series of measures realised in cooperation with the Equal Opportunities Team, Facility and Corporate Health Management as well as the Competence Center ‘Water, Waste Water, Waste Management’ and GloBe’s Water Cluster. > LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/4kE1WvM > Webinar recording on ida.giz.de: https://bit.ly/4b3ynz7 JOIN THE MOVEMENT “When I heard for the first time about menstrual health and hygiene in GIZ, I wondered about the relevance for our work in development cooperation. And it is not long ago that I was very sceptical, when I heard about the idea that period products should be made available in GIZ offices. Just like many women in my age, I thought: Why should this be any of my employer’s business? It is thanks to my GIZ colleagues that I completely changed my view on the topic. Education and conversations around menstrual health and hygiene are essential to break the stigma, to prevent girls and women from being excluded from society during their period, and last but not least to prevent gender- based violence. In yesterday’s Gender@GIZ session best practice examples with a focus on the African continent were showcased on how to integrate the topic into our project implementation with our partners as well as GIZ internally. Alan Walsch, Country director of MALAWI, gave us insights into their ‘cup initiative’, where they provide cups together with trainings on how to use them, to their partners. In RWANDA an Arts Exhibition in the light of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence started last week with contributions from a Rwandan artist and GIZ Rwanda’s project activities. The Global Programme ‘Partnership against Wildlife Crime in Africa & Asia’ in TANZANIA is working together with female scouts and girls in the communities by providing menstrual health products like reusable sanitary pads and cups and offering educational programs. In ZAMBIA, free menstrual emergency products are offered in all GIZ offices to their staff. They are collaborating with local partners to build dispensers in Zambia, as importing them is not practical and comes with high costs. It is no coincidence that we chose yesterday for this session. It marked the start of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. Across the world, GIZ contributes to this campaign every year. We were honoured to have Diana Nelson, Global Advocacy Director of Days for Girls & Period Positive Workplace Initiative, as a guest speaker with us who focused on the great “return on investments” that providing period products at the workplace has for a company from a financial, productivity and absenteeism perspective. The event was organized by the#MenstruAction staff initiative. In cooperation with GIZ’s Equal Opportunities Team and dedicated colleagues from Facility and Corporate Health Management they initiated Periods@Work. The cross-departmental initiative acknowledges menstrual health and hygiene as a legitimate workplace issue, thereby fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment for all employees – in a growing number of our country offices, but also here in Germany (a few good practices being highlighted in the poster). Thanks colleagues!” GIZ / MenstruAction – From Enthusiasm to Action 2015–20256

EMERGENCY PERIOD PRODUCTS IN GERMAN GIZ OFFICES GIZ takes a strong stance on gender equality at the workplace. In August 2024 ELVIS Property Divisions teams installed period product dispensers at German offices. They provide colleagues with period products should they get their period unexpectedly. In December 2023, our Management Board had decided that period products should be made available, as essential hygiene articles. > Full article: https://gender-works.giz.de/ lets-talk-about-periodswork GIZ / MenstruAction – From Enthusiasm to Action 2015–20258

GIZ SUSTAINABILITY CHALLENGE 2024: MHH IS A TOPIC The GIZ Sustainability Challenge 2024 concluded with an inspiring award ceremony. Projects like the Green Office Initiative in Abuja and Periods@Work 2.0 showcased innovative ways to embed sustainability at GIZ, from waste management to promoting menstrual health and hygiene at the workplace. > ida.giz.de: https://bit.ly/3Q8PUMX Green Office Initiative GIZ Nigeria & ECOWAS  Objective: Promoting sustainable  waste management practices  Target: GIZ office in Abuja   Initiatives: Setting up recycling  stations for plastics, e-waste, metal, paper, and glass, and buying reusable sanitary pads with the funds raised from recycling       Make menstrual health and hygiene a global priority! Periods@Work 2.0 MenstruAction Staff Initiative  Objective: Promoting sustainable menstrual-cycle health  Target: Menstruating people within GIZ  Initiative: Activation events around the pad/tampon-dispenser, and co- creators/ambassadors programme with start-ups and colleagues PHOTO TOP: Periods@Work 2.0 stall promoting sustainable menstrual-cycle health at the GIZ Campus Bonn - as part of the German Sustainability Action Days 2024. MOST LIKES!SUSTAINABLITIY AT THE WORKPLACEWINNER!SUSTAINABLITIY & FRAGILITY10GIZ / MenstruAction – From Enthusiasm to Action 2015–2025

Cape Town>Zanzibar>Hamburg>Bonn>Kigali #LetsTalkPERIOD ROLLING EXHIBITION The #LetsTalkPERIOD exhibition follows an art-based approach - a highly successful artist incubation campaign, in association with Viva con Agua South Africa, the Spier Arts Trust, GIZ and the Millerntor Gallery. By encouraging open dialogue on menstrual health and hygiene, this campaign challenges cultural and sensitive taboos through various artistic expressions, e.g.: visual art, spoken word, music, dance, and poetry. Since 2024, the exhibition has been shown in Cape Town – April 2024, Zanzibar – May 2024, Hamburg – June 2024, Bonn – June 2024, and Kigali – November/December 2024, featuring works from from South Africa and Rwanda. > LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3ELw73q GIZ / MenstruAction – From Enthusiasm to Action 2015–202512

FROM #LetsTalkPERIOD TO #kickTheSTIGMA … AND #LetsTalkMENOPAUSE Viva con Agua South Africa joins hands with the Minister of Menstruation Candice Chirwan for activities around MHH. > LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/4gk0njd German Ambassador launches #KickTheSTIGMA Campaign in Zambia. > LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/4gaddR3 #LetsTalkMenopause campaign with Nepalese actress & Goodwill Ambassador Keki Adhikari. > LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/42whUS6 South Africa - Viva con Agua’s #LetsTalkPERIOD song by Bravo Le Roux and Milla Smith > vivaconagua.org: https://bit.ly/43In7a3 SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE THAT CLICKTIVISM IS AN EFFECTIVE TOOL FOR TACKLING TABOOS AROUND MENSTRUATION The peer-reviewed scientific study ‘Breaking the silence: Group discussions and the adoption of menstrual health technologies’ by Silvia Castro and Clarissa Mang (LMU Munich) has been published in the prestigious Journal of Development Economics. This article specifically references GIZ’s #LetsTalkPERIOD campaigns in Nepal, Albania, and the Philippines, as well as #letstalkperiods in Germany, by the DFB and o.b. Kenvue. > LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/4jxZkPq “This study offers important insights for policymakers. We propose an effective, light-touch intervention that capitalizes on women’s own knowledge and their exchange of ideas and experiences, thereby eliminating the need for external skills or knowledge. We observed significant interest and eagerness among the women to actively engage in discussions and share their personal experiences. Our results suggest that the suboptimal equilibrium limiting women’s opportunities to discuss menstruation is fragile and can be changed. This indicates a promising potential for large-scale implementation of such interventions, akin to recent initiatives by public practitioners. Efforts like those made by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, using social media and local influencers to reshape discussions around menstruation and destigmatize the topic in countries like Nepal, Albania, and the Philippines, could prove very effective. These approaches do not necessitate the involvement of every menstruator in a formal discussion group. Simple encouragements to openly discuss this topic and the provision of a safe space for doing so may be sufficient, potentially leading to significant positive impacts on the adoption of health- and productivity- enhancing technologies.” SILVIA CASTRO AND CLARISSA MANG, FACULTY OF ECONOMICS, LMU MUNICH, GERMANY 14GIZ / MenstruAction – From Enthusiasm to Action 2015–2025

TOGETHER FOR A #PeriodFriendlyWorld 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE GLOBAL MENSTRUAL HYGIENE DAY A whole week of amazing events and meetings in Europe with our #LetsTalkPERIOD Goodwill Ambassadors from Albania, Nepal and Zambia - advocating for a #PeriodFriendlyWorld and to #kickTheSTIGMA. #Period Friendly World Festival of Democracy at BMZ > LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/4giFIvG GIZ Campus Bonn > LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3X0hP5B BONN Benefiz-Kick SCORING GIRLS* > LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3WAqOKp re:publica > LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/40QaW8Y GIZ Representation > LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/42Q7pt1 BERLIN 

MH DAY @ GIZ ESCHBORN A vibrant celebration of the 10th anniversary took place at the GIZ HQ with activities to learn more about the history of the Menstrual Hygiene Day, cycle-based training and nutrition from FEMNETIC, and to discover some of the exciting approaches GIZ is already implementing when it comes to MHH – including a period board game. > ida.giz.de: https://bit.ly/42MwTY0 17Ziele-Podcast with Ina Jurga & Katie Gallus – Frauengesundheit & Politik: Gleichstellung durch Menstruationshygiene? > 17zielepodcast.podigee.io > LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/41razAP ESCHBORN GIZ / MenstruAction – From Enthusiasm to Action 2015–202518

GIZ GENDER COMPETITION 2024 What a positive development in the last years: From no mention of MHH at all, to one project in Nepal being under the TOP 15 of the GE1 category in the 2020 competition, to the 1st Gender prize for Fit for School’s MHH activities in the GE1 category and an honorable mention of #NepalsMenstrualMovement in the 2022 edition, to the 2nd prize for Periods@Work in the Gender Mainstreaming category and three honorable mentions at the 2024 Gender Award. > gender-works.giz.de: https://bit.ly/40IxebA > LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3CsYu5O Champions for Gender Equality Good practice examples from GIZ GM 2ND P L AC E 3 0 HOW GIZ IS LEADING THE CHANGE FOR MENSTRUAL INCLUSIVITY PERIODS MATTER: ba c k g rou nd or e c onom ic s t at u s , h ave a c c e s s to e s s ent i a l hyg iene item s. T h is inter vent ion not on ly add re sse s im me- T he Period s@Work in it iat ive by t he Men st r u Ac t ion st a f f d iate prac t ic a l need s but a l so crit ique s t he of ten- overlooked in it iat ive in c ooperat ion w it h GI Z’s E qu a l Oppor t u n it ie s a spects of workplace hea lt h a nd sa fet y, advocating for a more Te a m a nd ded ic ated c ol le a g ue s f rom Faci l it y a nd C or po - hol ist ic u nderst a nd ing of employee wel l-being. r ate He a lt h M a n a g ement repre s ent s a t r a n s for m at ive approach to workplac e equ a l it y by add re ssing men st r u a l More over, t he i n it i at ive’s i nc lu sive me t ho dolog y, w h ic h hea lt h a nd hygiene openly a nd inclusively. By incorporating involves extensive sur veys a nd active pa r ticipation from a ll Men s t r u a l he a lt h a nd hy g iene i nto work pl a c e pr a c t ic e s , employees, empha sizes collective responsibilit y a nd a llyship. t he y bre a k t he si lenc e a nd st igma t rad it iona l ly su rrou nd ing By eng a g ing non-men st r u at ing c ol le a g ue s, pa r t icu la rly men st r u at ion, cha l leng ing t he ent renched norm s t hat ma r- men, Per io d s @Work promote s a broa der c u lt u r a l s h i f t g ina l i z e t h is f u nd a ment a l a spec t of women’s he a lt h. T he tow a rd s g ender e qu a l it y. T h i s i nc lu sive d i a log ue he lp s c ro s s - dep a r t ment a l i n it i at ive a c k now le d g e s men s t r u a l d i sm a nt le t r a d it ion a l g ender bi n a r ie s a nd fo s ter s a work he a lt h a nd hyg iene a s a leg it imate workplac e issue, t hereby env ironment where men st r u a l he a lt h is seen a s a sha red fo s ter i n g a more i nc lu sive a nd supp or t ive env i ron ment concern, contributing to a more equitable a nd empat hetic work pl a c e c u lt u re . I n t h i s w ay, t he y e xempl i f y how for a l l employe e s . add re ssing speci f ic he a lt h need s c a n le ad to broader s y s- T he approa c h i s i nter s e c t ion a l, u nder s t a nd i n g t h at men- tem ic cha nge, cre at ing a more inclu sive a nd suppor t ive st r u at ion a f fec t s ind iv idu a l s d i f ferent ly ba sed on va riou s profe ssiona l env ironment for e ver yone. socio - ec onom ic a nd cu lt u ra l fac tors. T he prov ision of f ree emergenc y men st r u a l produc t s in GI Z of f ic e s worldw ide en su re s t hat a l l men st r u at ing employee s, reg a rd le ss of t heir THE PROJECT • L aun ch e d in 2015 , th e Men s t r u A c t ion s t af f ini t iat i v e inte gr ate s m en s t r u al h e alth a n d h y gien e into GI Z ’s w or k pl ac e pr ac t ic e s – w or k ing clo s ely toge th e r w i th GI Z ’s E qu al O ppor t uni t ie s Te a m a n d de dic ate d c olle ague s f r om F acil i t y a n d C or por ate He alth M a n agem ent w i th th e P e r io ds @Wor k ini t iat i v e . • Aw a r en e s s c a m p a ign s , e v ent s , a n d c o ope r at ion s w i th inte r n al a n d ex te r n al ac tor s w e r e c on duc te d . • Ini t iat i v e s to m a ke f r e e em e r gen c y m en s t r u al pr o duc t s av a il a ble in th e w or k pl ac e w e r e im plem ente d . 31 THE CHALLENGE • Stigma and lack of awar enes s sur r ounding menstr ual health in the workplace continues to exist worldwide. • High r ate s of m en s t r u at ing em plo y e e s a r e b eing c augh t of f gu a r d b y th eir pe r io ds at w or k . • Men s t r u at ing em plo y e e s s t r uggle w i th l imi te d ac c e s s to m en s t r u al pr o duc t s a n d f acil i t ie s in th e w or k pl ac e . THE CHANGE • G a ining dat a : A Men s t r u A c t ion s ur v e y sh o w e d 62 % of r e s pon dent s ex pe r ien c e d un ex pe c te d pe r io ds at • F in ding s olu t ion s : T h e P e r io ds @Wor k ini t iat i v e ini t iate d th e pr o v is ion of f r e e em e r gen c y m en s t r u al pr o duc t s in th e w or k , pr om pt ing th e n e e d f or em e r gen c y pr o duc t s . GI Z of f ic e s in G e r m a n y, f ollo w ing ex a m ple s f r om th e c o unt r y of f ic e s in A lb a nia , In dia , Nige r ia , R w a n da , V ie t n a m a n d • M a ni f e s t ing s olu t ion s : T h e Men s t r u A c t ion s t af f ini t iat i v e in c o ope r at ion w i th GI Z ’s E qu al O ppor t uni t ie s Te a m a n d de dic ate d c olle ague s f r om F acil i t y a n d C or por ate He alth M a n agem ent f o s te r e d a s uppor t i v e en v ir onm ent th r o ugh e v e n t s l ik e “ P e r i o d s @W o r k – W h y t h e t o p i c o f m e n s t r u a t i o n b e l o n g s a t w o r k ” a n d c o l l a b o r a t i o n s w i t h o t h e r or g a nis at ion s to pr om ote m en s t r u al h e alth at th e w or k pl ac e . oth e r c o unt r ie s . PERIODS@WORKINITIATIVE 2ND PLACEGIZ / MenstruAction – From Enthusiasm to Action 2015–202520

2023 M e ns t ruA c t ion Ne w s P E R I O D S @ W O R K / G I Z E D I T I O N / 1 1 . 2 0 2 3 PERIODS@WORK – MANY INITIATIVES, ONE GOAL 05/2023: MenstruAction surveys over 800 participants at GIZ HQ and in its country offices about a period-friendly workplace; the GIZ Representation Berlin stages a first Periods@Work event. > gender-works.giz.de: https://bit.ly/3V3VZOm > YouTube: https://bit.ly/45C9YNO 08/2023: Svenja Schulze, Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, meets MenstruAction colleagues at the BMZ Open Day Berlin. > LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3P7ur6S 09/2023: At the occasion of the German Sustainability Days MenstruAction and the GIZ Equal Opportunities Team set up a stall in front of the GIZ canteen in Bonn to inform GIZ colleagues about sustainable MHH products. > LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/49WiM2J 11/2023: MenstruAction and the ‘Institut für Zyklusgesundheit’ jointly organise a Thought Leaders Circle – Periods@Work event in Berlin. > LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3uVto2S M e n s t r u A c t i o n O n e g o a l , m a n y i n i t i a t i v e s In 2015 , the G IZ s ta f f in i t ia t ive Mens t ruAc t ion w a s i n t r o d u c e d w i t h a c l e a r m i s s i o n i n m i n d . E m p l o y e e s f r o m d i v e r s e s e c t o r s , i n c l u d i n g e d u c a t i o n , h e a l t h , g e n d e r , a n d W A S H (W a t e r , S a n i t a t i o n , a n d H y g i e n e ) , u n i t e d t o p r o m o t e a p o s i t i v e m e s s a g e r e g a r d i n g m e n s t r u a l h e a l t h a n d h y g i e n e ( M H H ) . T h e P e r i o d s @ w o r k c a m p a i g n r e p r e s e n t s j u s t o n e f a c e t o f t h i s b r o a d e r e f f o r t . T h r o u g h t h e o r g a n i z a t i o n o f s p e c i a l e v e n t s , i m p a c t f u l c a m p a i g n s , a n d c o l l a b o r a t i o n s b o t h w i t h i n a n d o u t s i d e o f G I Z , t h e o v e r a r c h i n g g o a l i s t o m a k e M H H a w i d e l y r e c o g n i z e d a n d a c c e p t e d i s s u e w i t h i n t h e c o m p a n y a n d i n t h e p u b l i c e y e . M e n s t r u A c t i o n – f r o m E n t h u s i a s m t o A c t i o n h t t p s : / / b i t . l y / 3 E s 9 Y 6 Q T h e s u b s t a n t i a l n u m b e r o f i n d i v i d u a l s w h o f i n d t h e m s e l v e s u n e x p e c t e d l y d e a l i n g w i t h t h e i r p e r i o d n o t o n l y r e s u l t s i n t h e l o s s o f v a l u a b l e w o r k i n g h o u r s b u t a l s o h i n d e r s t h e i r a b i l i t y t o f u l l y e n g a g e i n t h e w o r k p l a c e c o m p a r e d t o t h e i r n o n - m e n s t r u a t i n g c o l l e a g u e s . T h i s d i s p a r i t y b e c o m e s p a r t i c u l a r l y e v i d e n t w h e n i n d i v i d u a l s h a v e t o l e a v e t h e o f f i c e b e c a u s e o f t h e s e c i r c u m s t a n c e s . I n f a c t , t h i s i s t h e c a s e f o r a b o u t 3 9 % o f t h e s u r v e y r e s p o n d e n t s w h o h a v e t a k e n s i c k l e a v e d u e t o p e r i o d p a i n a t l e a s t o n c e . I t i s n o t e w o r t h y t h a t a m o n g t h o s e w h o r e p o r t e d n e v e r h a v i n g t a k e n s i c k l e a v e f o r t h i s r e a s o n , 7 0 % e x p r e s s t h a t t h e i r w o r k i s i m p a c t e d b y p e r i o d p a i n . T h i s f i n d i n g i s i n l i n e w i t h t h e r e s u l t s o f a r e c e n t c o h o r t s t u d y c o n d u c t e d i n t h e N e t h e r l a n d s , w h i c h f o u n d t h a t p r e s e n t e e i s m i s o n e o f t h e d r i v e r s o f p r o d u c t i v i t y l o s s e s d u e t o m e n s t r u a t i o n - r e l a t e d s y m p t o m s 3 . > > H a s p e r i o d p a i n e v e r i m p a c t e d y o u r w o r k ? H a v e y o u e v e r t a k e n p e r s o n a l o r s i c k l e a v e d u e t o p e r i o d p a i n ( n = 8 2 0 ) ? N o N o , b u t o p t e d f o r f l e x i b l e w o r k Y e s M a y b e & s o m e t i m e s 1 3 % 5 % 4 % N o 1 7 % 1 % Y e s 7 0 % 9 5 % 9 4 % O t h e r < 1 % n 4 7 9 2 1 1 % 3 2 0 2nd PRIZE: GIZ GENDER COMPETITION Survey across GIZ offices worldwide, 2023: 829 responses from 16 countries. E v e n t “ Pe r i o d s @ w o r k – M a k i n g t h e c a s e f o r Pe r i o d - F r i e n d l y Wo r k p l a c e s ! ” o n M a y 3 0 t h a t t h e G I Z R e p r e s e n t a t i o n B e r l i n P E R I O D S @ W O R K / M A K I N G T H E C A S E F O R P E R I O D - F R I E N D LY W O R K P L A C E S ! A l o o k i n t o o u r c o m p a n y , w i t h i n s i g h t s f r o m 8 2 9 G I Z c o l l e a g u e s ! T h i s r a i s e d a c r i t i c a l q u e s t i o n f o r t h e i n i t i a t i v e : A r e w e t a k i n g s u f f i c i e n t m e a s u r e s t o p r e v e n t t h e l o s s o f v a l u a b l e w o r k i n g h o u r s a t G I Z , a c o m p a n y As p a r t o f t h e i r e f f o r t s , t h e M e n s t r u A c t i o n i n i t i a t i v e o r g a n i z e d t h e “ P e r i o d s @ w o r k ” c o m p r i s i n g 5 1 % w o m e n ? T h e c o n d u c t e d s u r v e y g a t h e r e d a t o t a l o f e v e n t i n B e r l i n t o s h i n e a l i g h t o n M H H i s s u e s 8 2 9 r e s p o n s e s f r o m m o r e t h a n 1 6 c o u n t r i e s , w i t h i n w o r k p l a c e s a n d l e a r n f r o m o t h e r o r g a n i z a t i o n s s i g n i f i c a n t c o n t r i b u t i o n s c o m i n g f r o m G e r m a n y a n d c o m p a n i e s . A d d i t i o n a l l y , t h e y c o n d u c t e d a ( 3 3 . 8 % ) , I n d o n e s i a ( 7 . 6 % ) , I n d i a ( 6 . 5 % ) , M a l a w i c o m p r e h e n s i v e s u r v e y a c r o s s G I Z o f f i c e s w o r l d - ( 6 . 5 % ) , a n d U g a n d a ( 4 . 8 % ) . A r o u n d h a l f o f t h o s e w i d e . T h e p r i m a r y o b j e c t i v e s w e r e t o u n d e r s t a n d s u r v e y e d s t a t e d t h a t t h e y g e n e r a l l y s p e n d 4 t o 5 d a y s t h e c u r r e n t s i t u a t i o n a n d t h e g r a s s r o o t s n e e d s a w e e k i n t h e o f f i c e , f o l l o w e d b y 2 9 % w h o w o r k r e l a t e d t o MHH . F u r t h e rm o r e , t h e s u r v e y s o u g h t t o e s t i m a t e t h e e c o n o m i c i m p a c t o f n o t p r o v i d i n g i n t h e o f f i c e 2 t o 3 d a y s a w e e k . A t t h e s a m e t i m e , a s t a g g e r i n g 6 2 % o f t h e m e n s t r u a l p r o d u c t s i n G I Z o f f i c e s w o r l d w i d e . r e s p o n d e n t s r e v e a l e d e x p e r i e n c i n g u n e x p e c t e d T h e e c o n o m i c i m p a c t q u e s t i o n a r o s e a f t e r t h e p e r i o d s a t w o r k o n e t o t h r e e t i m e s a y e a r , w h i l e 2 9 % a r t i c l e “ W a r u m d i e M e n s t r u a t i o n a u f d i e A r b e i t r e p o r t e d t h a t t h i s h a p p e n s t o t h e m f o u r o r m o r e g e h ö r t ” w a s p u b l i s h e d i n t h e b u s i n e s s m a g a z i n e t i m e s a y e a r . O n l y 6 % i n d i c a t e d t h a t t h i s h a s n e v e r ‘ N e u e N a r r a t i v e ’ 1 . T h e a r t i c l e c i t e d t h e r e s u l t s o f a s t u d y , w h i c h r e v e a l e d t h a t i n a c o m p a n y w i t h a t o t a l o f 1 , 0 0 0 e m p l o y e e s , o f w h o m 4 0 0 m e n s t r u a t e o c c u r r e d t o t h e m . r e g u l a r l y , a t o t a l o f 2 , 7 5 2 w o r k i n g h o u r s c a n b e l o s t a n n u a l l y i f t h e f e m a l e e m p l o y e e s a r e s u r p r i s e d b y t h e i r p e r i o d o n l y o n c e a y e a r 2 . S u r v e y a c r o s s G I Z o f f i c e s w o r l d w i d e , 2 0 2 3 : 8 2 9 r e s p o n s e s f r o m 1 6 c o u n t r i e s . H o w m a n y t i m e s a y e a r a r e y o u u n e x p e c t e d l y s u r p r i s e d b y y o u r p e r i o d d u r i n g w o r k ( n = 8 2 9 ) ? 2 t o 3 t i m e s p e r y e a r : 4 6 . 2 % 4 o r m o r e t i m e s p e r y e a r : 2 8 . 5 % 1 t i m e p e r y e a r : 1 5 . 3 % N e v e r : 5 . 9 % O t h e r : 4 . 1 % R e s p o n s e s b y c o u n t r y # 1 2 8 0 Responses by country #1 280 How many times a year are you unexpectedly surprised by your period during work (n = 829)? 2 to 3 times: 46% 4 or more times: 29% 1 time per year: 15% Never: 6% Other: 4% #WeAreCommittedHow the GIZ Staff Initiative joined the Global MHH MovementPartner ofMenstruActionFrom Enthusiasm to ActionMake menstrual health and hygiene a global priority!28 May2023Global MH Day22GIZ / MenstruAction – From Enthusiasm to Action 2015–2025

#WeAreCommitted GLOBAL MENSTRUAL HYGIENE DAY Svenja Schulze, German Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development and members of the German civil society show their joint support to break the taboo around menstruation by wearing the Menstruation Bracelet. > X: https://bit.ly/3vTXnbu Z M B © MenstruAction. PERIOD. #ichwillfair: Episode 83 ‘Vom Feld ins Regal’ Podcast: ‘Menstruation is no taboo. Period.’ > YouTube: https://bit.ly/415T9uC GIZ‘s GenerationDigital! is promoting digital skills for girls and young women in supporting the roll-out of the UNICEF Oky Period Tracker App in Kenya and Tanzania. > https://okyapp.info The social enterprise ApiAfrique and GIZ’s Sports4Development Africa promote gender transformative change in Senegal through a menstrual cycle tracking app and an infotainment series ‘Weerwi’ aimed at teenage girls and their families. 3 seasons (à 6 episodes) were released on YouTube, TikTok etc. with an average of 100.000 views per episode. > YouTube: https://bit.ly/3Uw6Zn6 www.weerwi.com/en GIZ / MenstruAction – From Enthusiasm to Action 2015–202524

Z M B © #LetsTalkPERIOD Fit for School used the prize it won at the GIZ Gender Competition 2022 to fund the #LetsTalkPERIOD social media campaign. It teamed up with Pia Wurtzbach (Miss Universe 2015), and with the influencer couple Kathleen Paton (Miss Eco International 2022) and Kirk Bondad (Mister World Philippines 2022) to break the stigma around menstruation. With Kirk on board, Fit for School hopes to involve more boys and men in #LetsTalkPERIOD. This will further strengthen the efforts of the Department of Education – supported by Fit for School – that have reached already 27 million learners in the Philippines with information on Menstrual Health and Hygiene, aiming to keep girls in school – the whole month, every month. > fitforschool.international: https://bit.ly/40S3bhA > susana.org: https://bit.ly/3ZpcbIW #LetsTalkPERIOD is now moving on to Zambia where it teams up with the women’s national football team and to South Africa where it teams up with artists, building on the award-winning #Dance4WASH campaign mounted by Viva con Agua and GIZ’s Fit for School Africa initiative. > LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3Tgk6Ib Meanwhile, the #LetsTalkPERIOD approach of engaging role models in awareness raising campaigns is also being used to advocate for nutrition (in Ethiopia) and for WASH in Healthcare Facilities in Nepal. > LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3T59Z7Y > LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3V1QYpl #LetsTalk PERIOD #LetsTalkPERIOD at the Stockholm World Water Week 2023 – watch the recoding of the Film screening and Panel discussion on YouTube: > https://bit.ly/4b3oYay GIZ / MenstruAction – From Enthusiasm to Action 2015–202526

2022 GIZ GENDER COMPETITION 2022: TWO MENSTRUAL HEALTH AND HYGIENE SUBMISSIONS TOPPED THE LIST The Regional Fit For School Programme received the first prize in the GG1 category for reaching 27 million learners with information on MHH in cooperation with the Department of Education Philippines. > gender-works.giz.de: https://bit.ly/3uYtmar The social media campaign #NepalsMenstrualMovement was among the TOP 15 submissions – out of more than 100 entries. In a country of 30 million people, the campaign reached more than two million people with information on MHH through an innovative approach. > gender-works.giz.de: https://bit.ly/42ZKWaB PHOTO PAGE 12, TOP, f.l.t.r.: Vice Chair of the GIZ Management Board Ingrid-Gabriela Hoven; GIZ WASH Policy Advisor Jan Schlenk; GIZ Programme Manager Dr. Bella Monse; BMZ Parliamentary State Secretary Dr. Bärbel Kofler. PHOTO PAGE 13, MIDDLE, f.l.t.r.: Nepalese superstar Dayahang Rai; Nepalese superstar & Goodwill Ambassador for MHH Keki Adhikari; Cultural Attaché at the German Embassy Kathmandu Gregor Czaja; GIZ Technical Advisor Sami Pande. #Nepals Menstrual Movement GIZ Gender Award 202211monitoring reports prove that efforts have been fruitful as continuous improvement can be seen for all indicators relating to MHM. GENDER – A QUALITY FEATURE OF OUR WORKThe Fit for School program has contributed to raise awareness on menstruation and address gaps in schools through a range of initiatives. Most importantly, knowledge products were developed to provide adequate information to all learners. The materials ensure that boys are included in the narrative that MHM is not just for girls. Boys and men have a role to play and need to better understand menstruation to be able to support girls and help to fight discrimi-nation and bullying. In collaboration with the Water Policy sector program the Fit for School program developed a MHM concept for schools, which is modular, culturally adaptable and consists of primary and secondary intervention packages. AWARD WINNERIMPACTGerman Development Cooperation supports the Philippine Government in implementing a massive open online course (MOOC) on WinS including MHM. 22,500 educators have enrolled in the course between 2019 and 2021. During the school closure caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, an educational video on Menstrual Health featuring a cele-brity was broadcasted via TV and social media reaching a broad audience nationwide. On May 28th, the international Menstrual Hygiene Day 2021 was celebrated via an online event and several social media posts reached more than one million people. Combined, efforts led by the Fit for School program and the Philippine Department of Education helped to mainstream MHM as an integral part of the education sector and thereby kept girls in school and increased awareness of 27 million Filipino learners. CONTEXT AND INITIATIVEStigma, embarrassment and insufficient access to water, sanitation, hygiene facilities and supplies at school are challenges men-struating girls are confronted with. Increased absenteeism and lower participation of girls are some of the consequences. To counter these negative impacts on girls’ education, the Regional Fit for School Program made Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) integral to their work on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in school. In close collaboration with UNICEF and Save the Children, the Fit for School program has been supporting the Philippine Department of Education to recognize the importance of the topic and to integrate MHM into the national WASH in Schools (WinS) Program. In 2016, the Government issued the National WinS Policy which mandates schools to implement MHM interventions. Similarly, MHM was included in the Three Star Approach for WinS (UNICEF/GIZ 2013), which guides schools in incrementally improving their WinS status and serves as the framework for monitoring progress. MHM-related indica-tors include gender-segregated and female-friendly toilets, availability of sanitary pads, and access to information. From 2017 to 2021, the number of schools participating in the monitoring increased from 30,000 to 45,000, covering 93% of public schools in the country. Annual IMPROVING MENSTRUAL HEALTH THROUGH WASH IN SCHOOLS THE PHILIPPINES – AND BEYOND: REGIONAL FIT FOR SCHOOL PROGRAMGG1© GIZ 33CONTEXT AND INITIATIVEIn Nepal, millions of adolescent girls face challenges in managing their menstruation, negatively impacting their health, education and social life. The obstacles are deeply embedded in cultural beliefs about menstrua-tion and the lack of access to affordable sani-tary products as well as functional toilets. In recent years, menstrual health and hygiene has gained significant attention in Nepal. As a result of the growing momentum, the Gov-ernment of Nepal announced in 2019 that sanitary pads would be available free of charge at every public school in the country. Following an earthquake in 2015, various interventions have been implemented: an ini-tiative to set-up local production facilities of sanitary pads, the production of videos/TV radio programs, the development of a mobile app, and the construction/rehabilitation of female-friendly toilets in 17 schools. Through the support of the MHM Partner’s Alliance on the national level, the Government’s ini-#NEPALSMENSTRUALMOVEMENT IS REACHING MILLIONS THE 
ACT OF WORKING WITH AN INFLUENCER tiative ‘Free Sanitary Pad Distribution’ and the development of an Education Toolkit under the leadership of the Ministry of Edu-cation was advanced.The challenge: How to reach adolescents on a broad scale to raise awareness and share educational materials?The solution: Engage a popular national actress and influencer as Goodwill Ambassador.GENDER – A QUALITY FEATURE FOR OUR WORK Around 2 million people in Nepal were reached by a two-part documentary and related video clips that involved Keki Adhikari – a well-known actress, model and film pro-ducer in her native country Nepal. In October 2020, she took on her new role as a Goodwill Ambassador for menstrual health. With more than 1.5 million followers on social media, her messages reach a broad audience. The docu-mentary produced by award-winning German filmmaker Dirk Gilson. “Nepal’s Menstrual Movement” shows challenges and solutions for girls and women in Nepal. It describes edu-cation and advocacy efforts by the MHM Partners’ Alliance and became a big success for mainstreaming the topic. GENDER IMPACTThis kind of collaboration involving Good-will Ambassadors has not only been adopted in Nepal by other development partners such as Finish development cooperation but also by GIZ programs in Albania and the Philippines. National Level: The idea of forming a net-work to speak with one voice and unite the efforts for dignified menstruation has inspired 60+ local and international civil society organizations, academia, companies as well as bilateral and UN agencies to join the MHM Partner’s Alliance.Global level: The cooperation with the Water Policy sector program and the Sustainable Sanitation Alliance (SuSanA), particularly in the area of menstrual health and WASH, has ensured that the activities in Nepal are in line with the global agenda. The long-standing cooperation has now reached its peak with the successful colla boration on the production of multi-media content for the campaign.© GIZGIZ / MenstruAction – From Enthusiasm to Action 2015–202528

#WeAreCommitted GLOBAL MENSTRUAL HYGIENE DAY Svenja Schulze, Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, showed her clear support to the global movement by posting a Menstruation Bracelet photo on MH Day. > X: https://bit.ly/3YlqkpP > Instagram: https://bit.ly/3RC5ZKY “Let’s break this taboo once and for all!“ Video message by Dr. Bärbel Kofler, Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development. > bmz.de: https://bit.ly/3XZrZlp Z M B © 30 GIZ / MenstruAction – From Enthusiasm to Action 2015–2025 Z M B © #WeAre Committed „Menstruation darf kein Tabuthema sein. Wir müssen reden – und dafür sorgen, dass die Ausgrenzung und Stigmatisie- rung von Frauen und Mädchen ein Ende haben. Die Tabus und Stigmatisierung der Periode, der vielerorts mangelnde Zugang zu hygienischen Menstruationsprodukten und schlechte sanitäre Einrichtungen erschweren deutlich die Bildungs- chancen von Mädchen und Frauen, schaden ihrer Gesundheit und untergraben den allgemeinen sozialen Status von Mädchen und Frauen auf der ganzen Welt. Besonders für Frauen in Notsituationen und auf der Flucht stellt das häufig ein großes Problem dar.“ DR. BÄRBEL KOFLER, BMZ PARLAMENTARISCHE STAATSSEKRETÄRIN MH Day Event in Tirana, Albania - and launch of the GIZ MenstruAction Publication. 

MenstruAction. PERIOD. Svenja Schulze, Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, meets MenstruAction colleagues at the BMZ Open Day 2022 in Bonn. Some 200 GIZ colleagues contributed photos of their Menstruation Bracelet during the 2022 MH Day campaign, which was undertaken jointly with the G500 Gender Focal Persons. GIZ Malawi: Small cup, big impact – A menstrual health pilot in rural Malawi empowers women in agribusiness. > foodfortransformation.org: https://bit.ly/3IIxKyC GIZ Albania: Mural on gender-based violence – including a Menstruation Bracelet – inaugurated in Cërrik during the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. > shqiptarja.com: https://bit.ly/3IlzKvl Listen to me, girl, you have castles inside your bones, coronets in your heart, if he threatens you with battle, you raise him a whole war, the last time I checked, Queens cower before no man.” Queens II By: Nikita Gill GIZ / MenstruAction – From Enthusiasm to Action 2015–202532

© BMZ 2021 #ItsTimeForAction GLOBAL MENSTRUAL HYGIENE DAY The Menstruation Bracelet campaign has gained traction. In 2021 over 300 colleagues from more than 28 countries took part – including Tanja Gönner, Chair of the GIZ Management Board at that time. > gender-works.giz.de: https://bit.ly/3vLmCLl A LinkedIn post with the photo collage from the GIZ staff initiative MenstruAction went ‘viral’ on LinkedIn with more than 25.000 views. Dr. Maria Flachsbarth, Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development (2018–2021), showed her clear support to the global movement by posting a Menstruation Bracelet photo on MH Day. > facebook: https://bit.ly/3LJqjGA GIZ / MenstruAction – From Enthusiasm to Action 2015–202534

2020 #ItsTimeForAction GLOBAL MENSTRUAL HYGIENE DAY GIZ staff initiative MenstruAction took part in the global Menstruation Bracelet campaign with selfies /photos of over 100 colleagues. The Menstruation Bracelet is a global symbol for menstruation created by MH Day. > gender-works.giz.de: https://bit.ly/3yF2Imz ‘Menstrual Hygiene Management. Relevant, Intersectoral and on the Rise’ – GIZ as partner of SuSanA presented the revised and enlarged compilation of key resources on MHM. The publication, published by SuSanA and with a foreword by Dr. Maria Flachsbarth, Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development (2018–2021), has garnered more than 3,000 views so far. > susana.org: https://bit.ly/2LW3B0q Video statement by the BMZ Parliamentary State Secretary. Dr. Maria Flachsbarth, Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development (2018–2021), showed her clear support to the global movement with a video statement on MH Day. > X: https://bit.ly/42QqET0 sustainable sanitation alliance COMPILED ON BEHALF OF SuSanA working group 7 ‘Sustainable WASH in Institutions and Gender Equality’ WITH SUPPORT FROM THE GIZ Sustainable Sanitation Programme, Germany A COMPILATION OF MHM RESOURCES. REVISED AND EXPANDED EDITION 2020 MENSTRUAL HYGIENE MANAGEMENT RELEVANT, INTERSECTORAL AND ON THE RISE Z M B © MENSTRUATIONBRACELETTHEJoin!We want YOU to show your support!> By wearing the bracelet, you’ll show that periods are nothing to hide.> More information: www.menstrualhygieneday.org> Contact: sanitation@giz.de Join!GIZ / MenstruAction – From Enthusiasm to Action 2015–202536

“There is growing momentum in changing narratives, taboo and norms around menstruation. This gives me hope, that one day every girl would know and deeply believe that there is nothing impure or unclean about menstruation.” Brenda Mbaga Lubang’a – Gender Advisor, GIZ Pakistan “Lack of awareness on menstrual hygiene management is indeed a physical health issue to women.” Giang Tran – Programme Component Manager Macro Economic Reform, GIZ Vietnam “The combination of pervasive patriarchal structures, feminised poverty and menstrual taboos are a form of structural violence that manifests in unequal access to power and unequal life chances in many places. It makes me hopeful that the Menstrual Hygiene Day approaches the topic with so much joy and continues to advance the destigmatizes of periods every year!” Katja Brama – Project Manager, Engagement Global, Germany “Now more than ever, it’s time to take action to break the persisting silence, stigma and taboos surrounding menstruation. Hence, let’s step up our efforts for safe menstrual health and hygiene to create a world where no one is left behind! #WeAreCommitted” Fanni Zentai – Component Manager SP Water and Sanitation Policy – Innovation for Resilience, GIZ Germany “Menstrual health is a priority in the WHO European Region. Safe and inclusive education for boys and girls on menstrual hygiene and free access to WASH services and menstrual products are critical components of ensuring menstrual health across our region. We are happy to see GIZ and a growing number of partners and countries committing to tackling taboos and barriers that schoolgirls face every day.” Oliver Schmoll – Programme Manager Water and Climate, European Centre for Environment and Health, WHO Regional Office for Europe “I wish menstruation taboos and stigmas remain one day as myth and not reality. I wish we treat each other as equal humans all day in our life.” Keki Adhikari – Actress, Film Producer, Social Activist, Goodwill Ambassador #NepalsMenstrualMovement, Nepal “All our living, learning and working environments must be designed in a way that every menstruating person can manage their period with dignity. Water, sanitation and hygiene in schools are essential to ensure this.” Nicole Siegmund – Programme Manager Regional Fit for School Programme, GIZ Philippines “Women are often disadvantaged by the gender- specific distribution of rights, resources, access to education and employment in rural Zambia, although they contribute extremely to agricultural production within the dominating small-scale farming system. Women’s empowerment is therefore a crucial success factor to sustainable rural development and so I support MenstruAction to fight period stigma for gender equality here and worldwide.” Sebastian Köcke – Advisor Green Innovation Centres for the Agriculture and Food Sector, GIZ Zambia “I am deeply passionate about being part of this initiative and working together with other dedicated colleagues on a common mission, which is to advocate and fight for an equal and sustainable future that leaves no one behind because of their menstruation!” Daphne Manolakos – Advisor SuSanA Secretariat and SP Water and Sanitation Policy – Innovation for Resilience, GIZ Germany 38 GIZ / MenstruAction – From Enthusiasm to Action 2015–2025 

2018 MenstruAction: A SUMMIT ON MENSTRUAL HEALTH MANAGEMENT IN KATHMANDU, NEPAL More than 500 participants attended the summit hosted by GIZ and Nepal’s Menstrual Health Partner’s Alliance (MHM PA) to ensure that every girl in the country can thrive during her period. The event was organised by GIZ’s Support to the Health Sector Programme Nepal and the MHM PA with support from the GIZ Sector Programme Sustainable Sanitation and participation from the Global Programme Sanitation for Millions. > health.bmz.de: https://bit.ly/39g3YSm Eine Initiative von: Menstruationshygiene in der Deutschen Akteurslandschaft (Humanitäre Hilfe & Entwicklungszusammenarbeit) Ergebnisse des Dialogforums „Menstrual Hygiene“ am 19. Juni 2018 Unter Federführung von: DIALOGUE FORUM ‘MENSTRUAL HYGIENE’ GIZ colleagues participated in the dialogue forum organised by WASH United and the German WASH Network. A range of German stakeholders came together to discuss and share experiences on how to make MHH an issue on a global level. > susana.org: https://bit.ly/3F13AqO LEFT: Results of the dialogue forum ‘Menstrual Hygiene’ on 19 June 2018. RIGHT: GIZ internal exchange meetings since 2018. LEFT: Group photo with summit participants.MIDDLE LEFT: Key note speech by ‘Pad Man’Arunachalam Muruganantham.BELOW LEFT: F.l.t.r.: Dr. Sara Parker, Dr. Marni Sommer.BELOW RIGHT: F.l.t.r.: Dr. Paul Rückert,Valerie Broch Alvarez, Jan Schlenk.GIZ / MenstruAction – From Enthusiasm to Action 2015–202540

2015 MAKING LIFE BETTER FOR GIRLS AND WOMEN IN NEPAL – MONTH AFTER MONTH As part of the reconstruction after the devastating earthquake GIZ supported two women-led cooperatives with low-cost sanitary pad machines from the Indian Pad Man. The Sustainable Sanitation Programme and the Support to Health Sector Programme Nepal (S2HSP) strategised on the topic of menstrual health and hygiene in a cross-divisional cooperation. > health.bmz.de: https://bit.ly/3vtXMz4 TOP: F.l.t.r.: Shardul Tiwari, ‘Pad Man’ Arunachalam Muruganantham, Shrutha Sivakumar, Valerie Broch Alvarez. BELOW RIGHT: Women are employed by two cooperatives to produce low-cost menstrual pads. BELOW LEFT: Low-cost sanitary pad machine. GIZ / MenstruAction – From Enthusiasm to Action 2015–202542

“When I started working on MHH in Nepal in 2014 it was a small activity – now I am happy to be part of a fast growing initiative formed around this taboo topic of global relevance.” Valerie Broch Alvarez – Head of Programme Strengthening the Health System and Prevention of Pandemics in Libya, GIZ Tunesia “Join us and stand up against period stigma hampering girls’ and women’s participation in education and public life and thus undermining gender equality.” Dr. Angela Langenkamp – GIZ Gender Comissioner (until 06/2024), GIZ Germany “It was an intern who had visited the Indian Pad Man in 2015 who sparked our interest. I am excited how from then on MHH became a more and more important topic for our sector programme and beyond.” Dr. Arne Panesar – Senior Advisor Competence Center ‘Water, Waste Water, Waste Management’, GIZ Germany “Period Poverty is real – and it is a scandal! Let’s work together within our projects and programmes to support menstrual health – so that half of the world population can live a regular life: 28 days every month!” Dr. Heike Höffler – Food and Nutrition Security Coordinator, GIZ Zambia “Menstrual health is a practical example through which different aspects of feminist development cooperation and the specific gender inequalities become visible.” Joachim Göske – Director of Corporate Communications, GIZ Germany “With the support of key partners like GIZ, MH Day has managed to grow into a global movement that reaches hundreds of millions of people every year. Thank you so much for your partnership! Now that Germany has a feminist development policy, it’s time to step up action and investment in MHH. Together, we can end period poverty and stigma by 2030.” Ina Jurga & Thorsten Kiefer – Intl Coordinator MH Day & CEO, WASH United, Germany HIGHL IGH T Voluntar y work by GIZ colleagues: Kenya – Dr. Heike Höf fler with her NGO Watoto: www.afrikas-starke-kinder.de “Periods don’t pause for pandemics and certainly periods don’t pause among vulnerable groups of refugees and host communities. It’s time to leave no girl and woman behind!” Nora Valenzuela Llorente – Coordinator Unidas Women‘s Network, GIZ Germany “Menstrual hygiene is not a privilege, but a human right. Without access to menstrual products, menstruators are often forced to miss school or work. As a result poverty and inequality are exacerbated.” Nabiela Farouq-Martius – Head of Section, Learning Center 1, Academy for International Cooperation, GIZ Germany 44 GIZ / MenstruAction – From Enthusiasm to Action 2015–2025 “Meeting Keki Adhikari and understanding the power of the menstruation bracelet campaign instantly made me an active member of the MenstruAction staff initiative. Let’s break the taboo together!” Karin Kortmann – Director Regional Office Germany-West, GIZ Germany 

Attaining and maintaining Menstrual Health and Hygiene (MHH) is essential for the human rights of women, girls, LGBTQI+ and marginalized people and is critical to achieving several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are a blueprint for a better and more sustainable future for all. #3 GOOD HEALTH AND WELL-BEING Understanding menstrual pain and norms of menstrual bleeding, hygienic menstrual management and access to healthcare and pain relief can have positive impacts on reproductive health, well-being and mental health. #6 CLEAN WATER AND SANITATION Ensuring access to clean water and safe, private sanitation facilities for managing menstruation – in homes, schools, workplaces and public institutions – can reduce gender discrimination and sexual violence. #4 QUALITY EDUCATION The ability to manage menstruation in schools has a positive impact on girls’ education in terms of reducing absenteeism and increasing participation. #8 DECENT WORK AND ECONOMIC GROWTH By breaking down the taboo surrounding periods in workplaces, promoting period-friendly toilets and access to menstrual products, we can empower menstruating people to participate fully in education and work, and to contribute to economic growth. #5 GENDER EQUALITY To reduce gender inequality and discrimination, it is important to ensure that all settings enable managing menstruation with dignity and comfort, challenge discriminatory gender norms, and engage men and boys in increasing their knowledge and support of those who menstruate. #12 RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION Supporting innovation in menstrual product waste management will help reduce pollution and provide a variety of menstrual product choices, including safe biodegradable and reusable options. GIZ / MenstruAction – From Enthusiasm to Action 2015–202546

n h a Z x i l e F / k e h t o t o h P © : o t o h P DOWNLOAD THE PUBLICATION ON SUSANA.ORG: > https://susana.org/S3nByU FOREWORD Svenja Schulze, German Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development and members of the German civil society show their joint support to break the taboo around menstruation by wearing the Menstruation Bracelet. From left: Judith Ringlstetter, Thorsten Kiefer, Carolin Stüdemann, Svenja Schulze, Alexia Knappmann, Mathias Mogge, Thilo Panzerbieter. DEAR READERS Many young people grow up in ignorance about their bodies and their rights, which deprives them of the opportunity to make their own choices about their future. During my visits to other countries, I have seen the dramatic consequences of this. I met girls who told me what it is like not to know what is happening with your own body, what it is like to regard this as a kind of black box of which you are afraid. What it is like not to be able to talk about menstruation, not even with your friends or your mother, because it’s a taboo subject. Many have told me that they cannot go to school while they have their period, because there are no toilets with running water where they could change tampons or pads. Or simply because they have no access to menstrual products – in many cases because they cannot afford them. Or, sometimes, because it “isn't proper” to go to school during menstruation. That leaves girls with gaps in their education – and their education determines their future. Unfortunately, these are not individual instances – this is a structural problem. Over 600 million girls and women worldwide have no access to information on menstruation, to gender-appropriate toilets or to menstrual products. During their period, many of them are isolated and prevented from taking part in normal life. That is unfair. It harms their health and well-being – and that of society as a whole! No society that wants to be successful should refuse to benefit from the participation of half of its people – not even for a few days each month. There is clear evidence from studies which shows that prosperity and security increase if women enjoy equality and are able to use their potential to the full. Societies can only be peaceful and stable if all people enjoy equal participation in political, economic and social life. That is why, in my capacity as Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, I pursue a feminist development policy. Its purpose is to reduce the discrimination and oppression that keep women from enjoying equal participation. This includes providing access to menstrual health and hygiene, and eliminating the taboo surrounding menstruation once and for all. The Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development supports, for example, the Fit for School program in Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia and the Philippines. Working with these countries’ ministries of education, as many as 27 million students, teachers and staff members have already received information on menstrual health and hygiene. We also support social media campaigns, working through influencers in the Global South – including of course boys and men. These influencers at last treat menstruation for what it is – something completely natural. In the present publication, the Sustainable Sanitation Alliance (SuSanA) provides a collection of knowledge around menstrual health and hygiene, in order to offer practical ideas to be used on the ground. The projects presented on the world map at the beginning of the publication give us just a few examples of successful approaches. You are invited to let these ideas inspire you – this is about much more than just a few days at a certain time of the month! Svenja Schulze German Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development sustainablesanitationallianceCompiled on behalf of SuSanA Working Group 7 “Sustainable WASH in Institutions and Gender Equality”with support from the GIZ Water Policy Programme, GermanyMENSTRUAL HEALTH & HYGIENE RELEVANT, INTERSECTORAL AND ON THE RISE A COMPILATION OF MHH RESOURCES REVISED AND EXPANDED EDITION 2023CONNECTSUPPORT & INVESTSTAY INFORMEDWATCH & LISTENLEARNGET INSPIRED PARTICIPATESPREAD THE WORDFIND INFORMATIONENCOURAGE CHOICECOMMIT TO MHHGIZ / MenstruAction – From Enthusiasm to Action 2015–202548

Empower Girls with the free MHM Education Guide WASH United, 2018 > For girls to manage their periods safely, hygienically and without shame, they need a basic understanding of what menstruation is and how to handle it. Unfortunately, millions of girls lack access to even minimal information on menstruation. WASH United’s MHM Education Guide, developed together with girls and teachers, is a compact, easy-to-use, and low-cost solution. It is available for free in more than 20 languages: English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Nepali, Amharic, Kiswhahili, Hindi and many more Indian languages. > www.wash-united.org/mhm-guide/mhm-guide Period Positive Workplaces > Period positive workplaces can increase employee productivity and reduce absenteeism for people who menstruate. Organizations become stronger and more inclusive by providing for menstrual needs. Join organizations around the world to become a Period Positive Workplace and receive complimentary certification by applying here. > www.periodpositiveworkplace.org 28ish Days Later — Podcast Podcast, BBC, 2022 > This intimate, bold and taboo-busting podcast series explores the menstrual cycle — the science, drama, history, personal stories and politics in-between. India Rakusen explores the whole story, discovering facts that could change your life. Periods are just the beginning. In this BBC podcast series, the menstrual cycle is explored from the beginning of bleeding to the start of the next cycle. Listeners will discover how gaining knowledge about hormones and the menstrual cycle can change their lives, one day at a time. > www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0019r79 FIND MORE INFORMATION. JOIN US ON THE SuSanA Forum: > https://bit.ly/3yKNcpb GIZ / MenstruAction – From Enthusiasm to Action 2015–202550

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