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THE SECRET WORLD OF MENSTRUAL HYGIENE AND MANAGEMENTMita Gupta, Gender and Rights Unit, UNICEF HQ Social Norms Course, UNICEF/Penn12 June
2012
The issue of ‘hardware’
Lack of access Not affordable
No doors, close to boys’ toilets – lack privacy
No means for disposal No water source within or nearby
Toilets
Sanitary Napkins
Factual and normative beliefs about menstruation
Menstrual blood is dangerous Menstrual blood is dirty Impurity Religious beliefs Silence, secrecy
The social norm of silence, secrecy
• “That’s how it has always been”
• “It is normally kept secret, you would not allow the other people to know this.”
Empirical expectati
on
• Societal expectation to keep this hidden
• Sanction: shame, embarrassment, disapproval, teasing
Normative expectati
on
Why does it matter?•Infections
•Shame in seeking medical attention
Health consequenc
es
•Absence from school
•Reluctance to participate
•Inability to concentrate
Education impacts
Char Bramagacha Village
Community worker Set up hygiene education groups Approached women, men and a teacher of
a non-formal school
Spoke with girls about menstrual hygiene and management
Also spoke with men and boys
Key elements
Entry point – talking about hygiene issues in general
Not just girls, but reference group Making the private public Spontaneous diffusion Shift in empirical
expectations; erosion of normative expectations
Some points to consider
Discussions with parents as key members of the reference group
Separate discussions with girls, boys, parents, teachers and then bring together common knowledge
Re-enactment of what girls face – teasing, bullying making the private public Commitment from schools to continue talking
about puberty, reproductive health (incl. female teachers/mentors) sustainability
Some points to consider
Link to facilities/ ‘hardware’ Link with CLTS efforts – ensure
consideration of needs of girls/women in terms of toilets
Speak with women’s groups, tailors, local manufacturers about local, low-cost options
