Menstrual Health and Hygiene Technical Brief

Approximately 500 million people worldwide face barriers to managing their menstruation in a safe, healthy and dignified manner; these challenges are most acute in the low- and middle-income countries in which USAID works. USAID takes a multi-dimensional approach to menstrual health and hygiene (MHH) by addressing the many barriers that menstruation can create in a person’s life. In May 2021, the Agency released its first standard definition of MHH, which incorporates a wide range of sectors and programming areas that contribute to better and more inclusive outcomes for all menstruators.

This technical brief builds on that definition, by highlighting specific ways in which each sector or budget line can have the greatest impact, within existing mandates and aligned with Agency priorities:

• Reproductive health information and services, 
• Water, Sanitation and Hygiene 
• Education, and 
• Women’s economic empowerment.

Related Resources

• Six Ways USAID is Committed to Menstrual Health
• Meet Three USAID Champions Advocating for Menstrual Health and Hygiene Around the World
• Menstruation in the Workplace