Measuring the Influences of School WASH-Based MHM Interventions

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Measuring the Influences of School WASH-Based MHM Interventions Measuring the Influences of School WASH-based MHM interventions on adolescent girls’ Educational Engagement in Accra, Ghana The GAMA* Sanitation & Water Project *Greater Accra Metropolitan Area Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) refers to the process of handling menstruation. Without good MHM adolescent girls may struggle to attend school during menstruation. Good MHM consists of the following elements: MHM Knowledge: Sanitary Products: WASH Facilities: Private & clean toilet facilities to Knowledge of puberty, menstruation, and Clean materials to absorb or collect change sanitary products. Latrines with how to practice good menstrual hygiene. menstrual blood. locked doors, light and space. Menstruation is normal, not an illness. Clean, re-usable cloth Disposable, ready-made sanitary pads Water and soap. For personal hygiene and rinsing Physical Development during puberty. tampons or menstrual cups. cloths and menstrual cups. Feeling self-confident, freedom from shame. How to deal with menstruation, both fluids and pain. Appropriate waste disposal facility For soiled materials and used sanitary products. Despite the government's efforts, public schools have not been able to retain Ghana faces significant challenges with Menstrual Hygiene Management. girls at the junior high level because of prevailing learning challenges, social environments and physical conditions. Impact in education Primary schools 11.5 Gender Parity Index, Basic Schools Ghana million of women lack Kindergarten access to waste disposal facilities that adequately Primary separate MHM waste Junior High from human contact & School 2009/10 10/11 11/12 12/13 13/14 14/15 only 59% only 62% 2.5 have adequate water have adequate sanitation A Sketch of Girls’ million of women supply systems systems Enrollment lack access to private facilities in public spaces to manage Coordinated investment in infrastructure menstruation and education are essential to address the lack of water and sanitation infrastructure 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Typical School Enrollment in public spaces, specifically in schools Age of Girl WASH facilities and MHM self-efficacy (or Self-efficacy and WASH facilities) The role of school management is critical to ensuring access to resources for sanitation, providing teacher training on this sensitive topic, and oversight and monitoring of MHM education. Facilitation of adequate menstrual hygiene management Materials to Menstruation is a absorb or collect normal physiological menstrual blood process Individual Material knowledge resources Private and clean facilities Physical development to change and dispose of in adolescent girls Social soiled materials (at home, school, and work) environment How to deal with Facilities for menstruation personal hygiene When a doctor Pain management may be helpful Enabling and encouraging: No restrictions menstruation is normal Debunking taboos and myths Lack of MHM resources may hinder Education is an important factor in educational engagement in girls poverty alleviation, especially for Girls tend to feel ashamed and MHM is knowledge of and access to materials women and girls uncomfortable, which leads to More attention should be placed on identifying negative, long-term side effects on and facilities for proper management of and addressing the challenges girls face in their educational and health outcomes menstrual hygiene schools, such as socio-emotional factors impacting self-esteem and self-efficacy School environments inhibits female students and teachers to manage their menstruation with safety, dignity, and privacy This can negatively influence socio-emotional indicators such as self-esteem, self-efficacy and eventually ability to succeed and thrive within and outside the school environment. Findings and Recommendations Lack of adequate WASH facilities MHM-centered WASH facilities and Access to private and clean WASH in schools to promote good improved behavior and educational facilities can impact a post-menarche menstrual hygiene practices can interventions are necessary to break girl's level of engagement in school act as a barrier to education, the cycle of gender inequality in engagement in sports and associated schools Good MHM and WASH interventions development affecting gender must be integrated into school curricula to increase access to education for girls equality .
Recommended publications
  • Menstrual Hygiene in South Asia a Neglected Issue for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) Programmes
    Report Menstrual hygiene in South Asia A neglected issue for WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) programmes A WaterAid report Written by: Thérèse Mahon and Maria Fernandes Front cover image: WaterAid/Marco Betti “I enjoy coming to school now. I felt odd to come earlier because of the toilet problems; I felt embarrassed.” Hari Kala Acharya, 14, Pokhara, Nepal. Menstrual hygiene in South Asia A neglected issue for WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) programmes In total, women spend around six to seven years of their lives menstruating. A key priority for women and girls is to have the necessary knowledge, facilities and cultural environment to manage menstruation hygienically, and with dignity. Yet the importance of menstrual hygiene management is mostly neglected by development practitioners within the WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) sector, and other related sectors such as reproductive health. This article explores the reasons why menstrual hygiene management is not generally included in WASH initiatives, the social and health impacts of this neglect on women and girls, and provides examples of successful approaches to tackling menstrual hygiene in WASH in the South Asia region. Key words: gender, water, sanitation, hygiene, menstrual hygiene, South Asia The WASH sector and development Having access to sufficient quantities of safe water, access to a private and clean place to defecate, living in an environment free from human excreta and other harmful waste, and being able to behave hygienically, are basic requirements essential
    [Show full text]
  • 2 Nd AQAR 2017-18
    Contents Sl. No. Particulars Page No. Part A 01 Details of Institution 01-06 Part B 02 Criterion I 07-08 03 Criterion II 09-11 04 Criterion III 12-15 05 Criterion IV 16-18 06 Criterion V 19-21 07 Criterion VI 22-26 08 Criterion VII 27-28 Annexure 09 Annexure 1: 29-37 Academic Calendar of events for the academic year 2017-18 10 Annexure 2: 38 Feedback Analysis 11 Annexure 3: 39-41 Two Best Practices of Institution 12 Annexure 4: 42-78 Curricular and Extracurricular events conducted during academic year 2017-18 Annual Quality Assurance Report (AQAR) of the IQAC Part – A 1. Details of the Institution 1.1 Name of the Institution SJM College of Pharmacy 1.2 Address Line 1 SJM Campus, NH-4 Bye Pass Pune - Bengaluru Highway Address Line 2 Chitradurga City/Town Karnataka State Pin Code 577502 [email protected] Institution e-mail address Contact Nos. 08194-223231 Dr. Bharathi D.R. Name of the Head of the Institution: Tel. No. with STD Code: 08194-223231 Mobile: 9972133455 Dr. M. Mumtaz Mohammed Hussain Name of the IQAC Co-ordinator: SJM College of Pharmacy, Chitradurga – AQAR 2017-18 Page 1 Mobile: 9916276100 [email protected] IQAC e-mail address: 1.3 NAAC Track ID (For ex. MHCOGN 18879) KACOGN24614 1.4 NAAC Executive Committee No. & Date: EC(SC)/18/A&A/22.1 (For Example EC/32/A&A/143 dated 3-5-2004. This EC no. is available in the right corner- bottom of your institution’s Accreditation Certificate) www.sjmcp.org 1.5 Website address: Web-link of the AQAR: http://www.sjmcp.org/aqar/2017 - 18.pdf 1.6 Accreditation Details Year of Validity Sl.
    [Show full text]
  • National Coordinators Report
    NATIONAL COORDINATORS REPORT Highlights • 2015 z About WSSCC WSSCC is at the heart of the global movement to improve sanitation and hygiene, so that all people can enjoy healthy and productive lives. Established in 1990, WSSCC is the only United Nations body devoted solely to the sanitation needs of the most vulnerable and marginalized people. In collaboration with our members in 150 countries, WSSCC advocates for the bil- lions of people worldwide who lack access to good sanitation, shares solutions that empow- er communities, and operates the GSF, which since 2008 has committed over $109 million to transform lives in developing countries. Acknowledgements WSSCC expresses its deep appreciation to the 16 National Coordinators who inspired this publication. Not only are they proud represen- tatives of WSSCC in their home countries, they are an integral part of WSSCC’s global commu- nity. The publication’s key contributors were: Primary writing/compilation Elizabeth Wamera Content development and review WSSCC National Coordinators Saskia Castelein Ceridwen Johnson David Matthews David Trouba Chris Williams Production, design and printing Stéphanie Gomez de la Torre Eileen Palmer Imprimerie Nouvelle GONNET Global Handwashing day commemoration 2015 in Kenya. ©WSSCC/Tobias Omufwoko. Front cover: Elected district mayors in Atsimo atsinanana region of Madagascar raise their hands to declare their commitment to ending open defecation after participating in a group training. ©WSSCC/Dera Akitramiranty Back cover: Celebrating Global Handwashing Day 2015 in Kenya. ©WSSCC/Tobias Omukwoko. TABLE OF CONTENTS FOREWORD 02 SUMMARY ANALYSIS 03 NATIONAL COORDINATORS 05 BANGLADESH 06 BENIN 07 CAMBODIA 08 ETHIOPIA 09 INDIA 10 KENYA 11 MADAGASCAR 12 MALAWI 13 NEPAL 14 NIGER 15 NIGERIA 16 PAKISTAN 17 TANZANIA 18 TOGO 19 UGANDA 20 ZIMBABWE 21 COUNTRY ENGAGEMENT WORKSHOPS 22 CONCLUSION 24 2 NATIONAL COORDINATORS REPORT FOREWORD Chris Williams PhD EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, WSSCC It gives me great pleasure to launch a publica- Johannesburg, South Africa.
    [Show full text]
  • WASH MHM Resource Guide 2015.Pdf
    Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene and Menstrual Hygiene Management: A Resource Guide WASH Advocates December 2015 Water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) play a large role in the lives of adolescent girls and women, both biologically and culturally. Gender equity becomes an issue when women and girls lack access to WASH facilities and appropriate hygiene education, affecting a girl’s education, sexual and reproductive health, and dignity. Lack of adequate facilities and materials for menstrual hygiene has been linked to absenteeism of girls from school during their periods.1 Many may permanently drop out of school with the onset of puberty if the toilet facilities are not clean or do not provide privacy to girls while they are menstruating.2 Menstruation is a taboo subject in many cultures and can create stigma, shame, and silence among young girls, which often continues into adulthood and perpetuates the cycle of gender inequality. Around the world, girls try to keep their menstruation a secret while they are in school. Without adequate sanitation facilities, girls are unable to manage their menstruation safely, hygienically, and with dignity and will be unlikely to use the facilities if there is no guarantee to privacy. Due to social and WASH-related issues, many girls choose to stay home during their menstruation instead of having to manage their period at school.3 Other times, girls do attend school but face challenges such as leakage, odor, discomfort, or difficulty concentrating. When child-friendly educational programs that raise awareness about menstrual hygiene management (MHM) are coupled with safe, private, and single-gender sanitation facilities; an accessible water supply; and a means for safe disposal of menstrual waste, they can help alleviate the burden girls face at school during menstruation.4 Access to these facilities at home and at health clinics is also important to allow women and girls a safe means to manage their menstruation at all times.
    [Show full text]
  • Menstrual Hygiene Management Policy
    REPUBLIC OF KENYA MINISTRY OF HEALTH MENSTRUAL HYGIENE MANAGEMENT POLICY 2019-2030 a REPUBLIC OF KENYA MINISTRY OF HEALTH MENSTRUAL HYGIENE MANAGEMENT POLICY 2019-2030 Contents Foreword ..................................................................................................................................................v Preface .................................................................................................................................................... vi Acknowledgement ............................................................................................................................. vii Acronyms/Abbreviations .................................................................................................................viii Glossary/Definition of Terms............................................................................................................ x 1.0 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Situational Analysis .......................................................................................................................... 1 1.1.1 Information, Knowledge and Awareness on Menstruation ............................................ 1 1.1.2 Knowledge of and Access to Menstrual Management Products .................................. 2 1.1.3 MHM in Learning Institutions ..............................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Kenya-MHM-Strategy-Final.Pdf
    REPUBLIC OF KENYA MINISTRY OF HEALTH MENSTRUAL HYGIENE MANAGEMENT STRATEGY 2019-2024 REPUBLIC OF KENYA MINISTRY OF HEALTH MENSTRUAL HYGIENE MANAGEMENT STRATEGY 2019-2024 Table of Contents Foreword ..................................................................................................................................................v Preface .................................................................................................................................................... vi Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................................... vii Executive Summary...........................................................................................................................viii Acronyms/Abbreviations ................................................................................................................... ix Glossary/Definition of Terms............................................................................................................ x Chapter One: Introduction ................................................................................................................. 1 Background ....................................................................................................................................... 1 Rationale of the MHM Strategy .................................................................................................... 1 Purpose and Aim of the MHM Strategy ......................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Mhday2020 Covid19 and Periods Logo
    PERIODSPERIODS DON’T STOP FOR PANDEMICS WHAT COVID-19 MEANS FOR MENSTRUAL HEALTH AND HYGIENE Each day, an estimated 300 million women and girls menstruate. Being able to manage menstruation safely, hygienically, with confidence and with dignity is critical for their health, education, human rights, economic development and overall gender equality. Before the COVID-19 pandemic started, more than 500 million women worldwide did not have what they needed to manage their menstruation.1 The current pandemic highlights and further exacerbates the THE PROBLEM menstruation-related challenges many women and girls face around the world. Disrupted access to information Persisting period stigma and taboos Disrupted access to products Lack of access to WASH infrastructure about menstruation Lockdowns intensify the impact of household- Many subsidised supply schemes, e.g. free Millions of women and girls lack access to water, Schools, community centres and other places level taboos and stigmas on women and girls distribution of menstrual products in schools, sanitation and handwashing (WASH) facilities to where women and girls can typically access and make it more difficult to manage menstruation, have been suspended. wash themselves, change and dispose of critical information about menstruation are without shame and discomfort in often confined The economic impact of COVID-19 forces many menstrual materials safely and comfortably. closed in many countries. spaces. women and girls to prioritise other basic needs Poor WASH infrastructure in healthcare facilities Routine health services are reduced. Women On Menstrual Hygiene Day 2019, people around over safe menstrual products. means female health workers and patients can’t and girls typically have less access to digital the world organised 726 on-the-ground events in Disrupted supply chains drive prices up, making manage their menstruation adequately in these 2 3 information than men hampering their ability 74 countries.
    [Show full text]
  • Monitoring Menstrual Health and Hygiene Measuring Progress for Girls Related to Menstruation
    Monitoring Menstrual Health and Hygiene Measuring Progress for Girls related to Menstruation GENEVA, SWITZERLAND MARCH, 2019 GREEN PAPER ©Copyright 2019 Editors: Sommer, M., Zulaika, G., Schmitt, M., Gruer, C. Special Contributors: Caruso, B., Haver, J., Hennegan, J., Phillips-Howard, P., Mahon, T., Torondel, B. Reviewers: Meeting Participants and Global Advisory Group Acknowledgements: Special thanks to the Water Supply & Sanitation Collaborative Council for handling all the logistics related to the Geneva meeting, to Aja Weston, MPH Candidate at the Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, for all of her analytic support in preparing the content of the meeting, and to Michael Randel for his support for designing the meeting structure and activities. Recommended Citation: Sommer, M., Zulaika, G., Schmitt, M., Gruer, C. (Eds.) Monitoring Menstrual Health and Hygiene: Measuring Progress for Girls on Menstruation; Meeting Report. New York & Geneva: Columbia University and WSSCC. 2019. This meeting was co-convened and funded with generous support from the Water Supply & Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC) ©Copyright 2019 Monitoring and Measuring Menstruation TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary ............................................................................................................................... 2 Purpose / Focus..................................................................................................................................... 3 Background ..........................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Menstrual Hygiene Management Guideline Is Issued by the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation to Support All Adolescent Girls and Women
    Menstrual Hygiene Management National Guidelines December 2015 Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation Government of India Paryavarn Bhawan, CGO Complex Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110003 a Menstrual Hygiene Management National Guidelines December 2015 Abbreviations ARSH Adolescent Reproductive and Sexual Health ASHA Accredited Social Health Activist AWCs Anganwadi Centres BEO Block-level Educational Officer BRC Block-level Resource Center CRC Cluster Resource Center CSOs Civil Society Organizations DEO District Education Officer DPC District Project Coordinator GOI Government of India ICDS Integrated Child Development Scheme IEC Information Education and Communication INR Indian Rupees KGBV Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya KPI Key Project Indicators MDWS Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation MHM Menstrual Hygiene Management MoHFW Ministry of Health and Family Welfare MoHRD Ministry of Human Resource Development NGO Non-Government Organization O&M Operation and Maintenance PSA Public Service Announcement PHED Public Health Engineering Department RDD Rural Development Department RKSK Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram SABLA Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment and Adolescent Girls SBM (G) Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) SHG Self-Help Group SBSV Swachh Bharat: Swachh Vidyalaya TDD Tribal Development Department WASH Water, Sanitation and Hygiene WCD (Ministry of) Women and Child Development WSSO Water & Sanitation Support Organization ii Contents Part 1: About the guideline ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
    [Show full text]
  • Menstrual Hygiene Around the World
    A resource for improving menstrual hygiene around the world Sarah House, Thérèse Mahon and Sue Cavill p.2 Introductory pages Copyright © WaterAid. All rights reserved. This material is under copyright but may be reproduced by any method for educational purposes by anyone working to improve the lives of women and girls through strengthening menstrual hygiene knowledge and practices, as long as the source is clearly referenced. It should not be reproduced for sale or commercial purposes without prior written permission from the copyright holders. The authors would appreciate receiving information on when, where and for what purpose the materials have been used. Please send details to [email protected] Disclaimer This resource is a synthesis of good practice. While every effort has been made to obtain permission for the inclusion of materials, and also to verify that information is from a reputable source, checks have not been possible for all entries. Therefore, users are encouraged to follow up with the original references when considering using sections of this resource. This resource is for information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions. WaterAid has used all reasonable care in compiling the information but makes no warranty as to its accuracy. A doctor or other healthcare professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. All examples of commercial products included within this resource are for learning purposes only and do not suggest endorsement by WaterAid and co-publishing organisations. Cover: A young woman producing low cost, First edition, 2012 hygienic sanitary pads in Mirpur, Dhaka.
    [Show full text]
  • Event Report Menstrual Hygiene Day July 19, 2017
    Event Report Menstrual Hygiene Day July 19, 2017 Organised by: MHM Working group Pakistan Table of Contents Abbreviations and Acronyms ................................................................................................. 2 1 Executive Summary ........................................................................................................ 3 2 Introduction to Menstrual Hygiene day ....................................................................... 5 3 Theme ............................................................................................................................... 5 4 MH Day Proceedings ...................................................................................................... 6 4.1 Opening remarks by Ms. Ellen Van Kalmthought Chief Ed. -UNICEF ................... 6 4.2 Brief Remarks by Ms. Hina Kausar- MHM Co- Chair ............................................... 7 4.3 Keynote Address by Mr. Khalid Hussain Magsi, ..................................................... 7 4.4 Documentary by Real Medicine Foundation (RMF). .............................................. 7 4.5 Panel Discussion: Narrowing the Cross-sectoral Gaps for effective MHM ......... 8 4.6 Unveiling MHM champions and MHM mobile App ............................................... 11 4.7 Animation showcasing ............................................................................................... 13 4.8 Experience sharing by Provincial MHM WG representatives ............................. 13 4.9 MHM role play by students
    [Show full text]
  • Menstrual Health Management in East and Southern Africa: a Review Paper
    Menstrual Health Management in East and Southern Africa: a Review Paper Siri Tellier and Maria Hyttel, WoMena Table of Contents Abbreviations 1 Acknowledgments 2 1. Introduction 3 2. Impact of Inadequate Menstrual Health Management 9 3. Enablers and Barriers for Menstrual Health Management 15 4. MHM in Humanitarian Contexts 27 5. Conclusions and Recommendations 31 6. References 36 2 Abbreviations BMI Body Mass Index CSE Comprehensive Sexuality Education CRC Commission on the Rights of the Child ESARO UNFPA East and Southern Africa Regional Office FGD Focus Group Discussion HMLICs High, Middle and Low Income Countries HRC Human Rights Council IASC Inter-Agency Standing Committee ICPD International Conference on Population and Development, 1994 IFRC International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies IRC International Rescue Committee IUD Intrauterine Contraceptive Device (sometimes referred to as IUCD) KAP Knowledge, Attitude and Perceptions LSHTM London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine LSTM Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine MDGs Millennium Development Goals MHM Menstrual Hygiene Management or Menstrual Health & Management NGO Non-Governmental Organization QALY Quality-Adjusted Life Year RCT Randomised Controlled Trial RTI Reproductive Tract Infections SDGs Sustainable Development Goals SRHR Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights UNFPA United Nations Population Fund UNHCR United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees UNICEF United Nations Children’s Fund UN-OHCHR United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights UN Women United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women WASH Water, Sanitation and Hygiene WHO World Health Organization 1 Acknowledgments This report has been commissioned by UNFPA East and Southern Africa Regional Office, under the leadership of Dr.
    [Show full text]