the secret world of menstrual hygiene and management mita gupta, gender and rights unit, unicef hq...

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