Menstrual Hygiene Day 2022

Menstrual Hygiene Day, recognized annually on May 28, is a global advocacy day that brings together the voices and actions of non-profits, government agencies, individuals, the private sector and the media to promote good menstrual health and hygiene (MHH) for all who menstruate. More specifically, Menstrual Hygiene Day focuses on breaking the silence, raising awareness, and changing negative social norms around menstruation, and engaging decision-makers to increase the political priority and catalyze action for MHH, at global, national, and local levels. 

This year’s theme is #WeAreCommitted: shifting from calling for action to leading by example by committing to action.

Ensuring that women, girls, and transgender and non-gender binary individuals who menstruate (“menstruators” or “individuals who menstruate”) can manage menstruation safely and with dignity is a key component of USAID’s water security, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) programming. At USAID, we strive to demonstrate that menstrual hygiene is about more than just health – it’s about power and progress. 

This Menstrual Hygiene Day, the USAID Water Team spoke with three MHH champions about their work moving the conversation forward about MHH and destigmatizing the topic of menstruation. Highlights from these conversations are featured here:

Meet Three USAID Champions Advocating for Menstrual Health and Hygiene Around the World 

Right click and “save as” to download any of these photo cards to use on Twitter. Don’t forget to tag and follow @USAIDWater.

BEVERLY MADEMBA, WASH Project Management Specialist, USAID/Kenya and East Africa

DIANA PRIETO, Director, Office of Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment, USAID

KATHRIN TEGENFELDT, Communications and Program Management Advisor, USAID/India Formerly WASH Advisor, USAID/Ethiopia

Additional Global Waters Resources on Menstrual Health and Hygiene:

• Menstrual Health and Hygiene Technical Brief
• Six Ways USAID is Committing to Menstrual Health
• Equipping Schools With Girl-Friendly Toilets
• Supporting Schools in Making Menstrual Hygiene Pads
• WASHPaLS’ Menstrual Hygiene in the Workplace Global Results Dissemination Webinar
• Changing Perceptions around Menstrual Hygiene
• Reflecting on Changing Perceptions around Menstrual Hygiene Management
• How USAID is Helping Improve Menstrual Hygiene Management in the Workplace
• WASH for Women and Girls Factsheet
• #WeAreCommitted: Celebrating Women’s Empowerment on Menstrual Hygiene Day